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Mount Vernon Nazarene University |
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Cougars Prepare to Host First-Knox Soccer Invitationalwritten by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men's soccer team will host the 2003 First-Knox Cougar Invitational on Friday and Saturday at Cougar Field in what should prove to be two exciting days of college soccer.
"Once again, it is a pleasure to have First-Knox National Bank help sponsor this tournament," said MVNU head coach Paul Furey. "It has been a great relationship over the years, and I am glad that we can continue in making this a quality tournament thanks to Barb Barry and First-Knox."
The host Cougars will enter the tournament with a 1-1-0 record after playing in the Judson (Ill.) College Tournament last weekend. MVNU blanked the University of St. Francis (Ill.) 6-0 in its first match as sophomore forward Scott Poole and freshman midfielder Josh Van Pelt each scored two goals. Then, the team fell 2-0 in its second match to Judson, ranked 24th in the NAIA preseason poll.
The Cougars will take on Moody Bible (Ill.) Institute in the first round on Friday at 4:00 p.m. The Archers are currently 1-2-0 after falling 5-2 to Kendall (Ill.) College on Tuesday. Moody Bible head coach Joe Harding will have a homecoming of sorts as he returns to Mount Vernon were he was a 1968 graduate of Mount Vernon High School.
The first match on Friday will feature Nyack (N.Y.) College versus Trinity Christian (Ill.) College at 2:00 p.m. Nyack will enter play in the tournament with a 1-0-0 record after posting a 6-0 victory over Mt. St. Mary (N.Y.) College on Saturday. In that contest, sophomore forward Nathan Rayl recorded a hat trick with three goals to lead the Purple Pride, while sophomore forward Andres Martinez scored twice.
The Trolls of Trinity Christian will enter play this weekend with a 1-2-0 record after pulling out an exciting 3-2 overtime victory against Asbury (Ky.) College. Senior midfielder Hassan Minter and senior forward Matt Medema led the Trolls with one goal and two assists apiece.
"We have three quality Christian institutions coming in that have a long rich history of soccer," said Furey. "I believe it will make for a competitive weekend and an exciting tournament to watch."
The tournament, which is free to the public, will continue on Saturday with the consolation match beginning at 1:00 p.m. followed by the championship match at 3:00 p.m. At the conclusion of the championship match, there will be an awards presentation for the All-Tournament Team and the championship trophy.