PAINESVILLE, Ohio – For the first time in program history, the Lake Erie men’s soccer team is headed to the semifinals of the NCAA DII Men’s Soccer tournament.
 
Lake Erie will travel to Seattle, Wash. to take on Franklin Pierce on Dec. 1 at 2:00 p.m. EST at Interbay Stadium.
 
After bowing out of the Great Midwest tournament in the semifinals, Lake Erie had to hope for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. That wish was granted and the Storm was given the opportunity to extend its season as the No. 8 seed in Super Region 3.
 
Playing arguably its best soccer of the season, the Storm battled through the super region picking up wins against Southern Nazarene, top-seeded Saginaw Valley, Illinois-Springfield, and finally Maryville on their way to a berth on Division II’s biggest stage.
 
While this Lake Erie squad will now forever be etched in the history books, the journey to this moment might be the most poignant part of their story so far this season.
 
“From the start of the season to now, this team has grown and grown with each day," said Lake Erie head coach Louie Rolko. “We faced many challenges, especially early on, but with those challenges, we grew. I think we needed to learn some lessons, face adversity, and overcome. Without those experiences, I am not sure we would be where we are today. The players had to fight, scratch, and claw to get back on track, and into the conference tournament and now we find ourselves in the Final Four. The credit goes to them for how things changed in the second half of the season and where we are today.”
 
Coming off its first Great Midwest title and a Sweet 16 appearance last season, the expectations were building for Lake Erie in the offseason but the start of the 2022 campaign was anything but storybook. Picked to finish atop the standings in the Great Midwest Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the Storm hobbled to 1-6-2 overall start and fell to 0-4-1 in Great Midwest play.
 
“I think it speaks to our character, resiliency, and who we are as people," said Rolko. “It could have been very easy for us to quit and throw in the towel early in the season. It wasn't how anybody expected the season to go. But we recommitted ourselves to the process and our identity as a team, had people step up in leadership roles, and with each game we gained more and more confidence. We are at our best when we are backed into the corner and the odds are against us.”      
 
On Sept. 29, the tides would turn. Lake Erie traveled south to Nashville to take on conference foe Trevecca. The Storm rolled to a 5-0 victory in the Music City and subsequently 7-0-1 record in the final eight games of the regular season. 
 
Rolko and his crew now prepares for a trip to Seattle to be a part of an NCAA Division II Fall Championships Festival. Division II is the only NCAA division that conducts “National Championships Festivals,” Olympic-style events in which a number of national championships are held at a single site over several days.
 
“Going to a final four for most people is a once in a lifetime experience,” said Rolko. “But getting to go in a festival year makes the experience even better. I don't know if it has set in just yet, or that our players even understand what it means, but I have a feeling the opening ceremony at the Museum of Pop Culture is going to set the tone for the weekend. I think the festival year is what really separates NCAA DII from the other divisions and the unique experiences that they offer. Getting to bring several sports together in one city to compete for a national championship only enhances the student-athlete experience.”
 
Aside from the pomp and circumstance of the event, this group of players does know they are just two wins away from a national title. With the opportunity of a lifetime just days away, the Storm doesn't see the need to change much about their game plan. 
 
“Our message has been the same for a few games now," said Rolko. “Be ourselves and do the things that have gotten us to this point. Trust ourselves and our teammates and play for each other. We can only control so many things, so let's take care of the things we can control. I think the other thing we have discussed is to have fun and enjoy the moment. We may only be at this point once in our lives, so let's make sure we take some time to enjoy it and the experience.”

Click here for a full schedule of events for the 2022 Division II Fall Championship Festival.