MVNU (12-5-2), which is the third seed in the eight-team tournament, earned its berth with a 1-0 victory over Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.) College in the NCCAA East Region Tournament championship match. The Cougars’ offensive attack is led by junior forward Adam Worrall (8 goals and 2 assists), senior forward Steve Lesmes (4 goals and 9 assists), and sophomore midfielder Scott Spangler (3 goals and 4 assists). Meanwhile, sophomore goalkeeper Alex Stout (0.81 goals against average) and the MVNU back line of junior Zach Patterson, senior Matt Wilging, and sophomore Brady Swanson have combined to allow just 15 goals in 19 matches with 11 shutouts.

“We really have played good soccer all year long despite missing three starters,” said MVNU head coach Paul Furey. “Now, we have our top gun back from an injury and that should only make us stronger. The important thing in this tournament is winning the first match. That keeps you in the winner’s bracket and makes the second day of competition that much more intense and exciting. I think we do have a fair shot at winning it all, but it all starts with the first day.”

The Cougars’ first-round opponent will be sixth-seeded Greenville (Ill.) College (14-7-0), an at-large selection, at 2:30 p.m. on Friday. The Panthers, who are making their third appearance in the NCCAA National Tournament, have lost five matches by one goal this season including three in overtime. This will be the first meeting between the two teams.

Friday’s other first-round match-ups include second-seeded Palm Beach Atlantic (Fla.) University (11-4-0), the NCCAA South Region champion, versus seventh-seeded Central Baptist (Ark.) College (13-3-0), the NCCAA Central Region champion, at noon. At 5:00 p.m., fourth-seeded The Master’s (Calif.) College (9-6-3), the NCCAA West Region champion, will take on fifth-seeded Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) University (12-9-0), the NCCAA North Central Region champion. Then, top-seeded Indiana Wesleyan University (18-4-1), the NCCAA Midwest Region champion, will close out the first round against eighth-seeded Oakland City (Ind.) University (9-8-1), the NCCAA Mid-East Region representative, at 7:45 p.m.

“This tournament is such a great experience for our players to be a part of,” said Furey, who is taking the Cougars back to the tournament for the first time since 2002. “It is the culmination of a good year for us to be there. But, when you consider all the elements - the location, the playing fields, the competition, and the fellowship - it is really the opportunity of a lifetime. We are just thrilled to be a part of it.”

On Saturday, the action will continue with loser’s bracket matches at noon and 2:30 p.m. with the semifinals to follow at 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. The tournament will conclude on Monday with four matches culminating with the national championship match at 7:00 p.m.