The season began for MVNU with a three-match trip to southern California where the team dropped its first two matches to The Master’s (Calif.) College and San Diego Christian (Calif.) College before ending the trip with a 2-0 shutout at Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.) University. Ironically, The Master’s would go on to advance all the way to the NAIA National Championship match.

The Cougars won their next six matches to extend their winning streak to seven in a row - all shutouts - as MVNU outscored its opposition 19-0 during that span with victories over Bluefield (Va.) College, Spring Arbor (Mich.) University, Point Park (Pa.) University, Ohio Dominican University, Ashland University, and Daemen (N.Y.) College.

The team went 3-3-1 over its next seven matches as the Cougars’ overall record moved to 10-5-1. One of the losses was a 1-0 decision at the University of Rio Grande, an eventual NAIA National Championship Final Four team, while the tie came at Notre Dame College, the American Mideast Conference Tournament champion who was ranked No. 6 in the NAIA at the time.

From there, MVNU closed out the regular season with a pair of shutouts over Malone University and Cedarville University to earn a spot in the AMC Tournament. The Cougars blanked Walsh University 3-0 in the first round and then advanced past AMC regular-season champion Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.) College on penalty kicks. Then, in the finals, MVNU dropped a hard-fought 1-0 decision to Notre Dame.

At that point, the Cougars switched gears to the National Christian College Athletic Association East Region Tournament. MVNU beat Nyack (N.Y.) College 3-1 in the semifinals and then downed Roberts Wesleyan 4-0 to earn the program’s fifth NCCAA East Region title and a berth in the NCCAA National Tournament in Kissimmee, Fla.

After dropping a tough 4-3 decision to Covenant (Ga.) College in the first round of the NCCAA National Tournament, the Cougars rebounded to blank both Greenville (Ill.) College and Palm Beach Atlantic (Fla.) University by identical 1-0 scores to close out the season with a fifth-place finish at the tournament and a 17-7-2 overall record.

"It would have been tough to repeat the achievements of our 2008 season, but this team had an extraordinary year and came so close to attaining new levels of success,” said MVNU coach Paul Furey, who improved to 240-158-30 in 20 seasons guiding the Cougars. "While we were disappointed about coming up a bit short, a 17-7-2 season is one we can take great pride in and it demonstrates that our previous season (18-4-2) was no fluke.”

"We once again appeared in the AMC Tournament championship, we won the NCCAA region and went to another national tournament, we were ranked in the NAIA Top 25, and we had 16 shutouts in 26 matches - all of which were difficult tasks,” Furey added. "We overcame a lot this year as a team with injuries, illnesses, and challenges on and off the field. I am proud of this group and commend my coaching staff for all keeping focus, enduring, and ultimately having a very successful season.”

Individually, five seniors wrapped up their careers in fine fashion to lead the Cougars. Goalkeeper Alex Stout posted a 0.77 goals against average and tied his own school record with 14 shutouts as he was named to the NAIA All-American Third Team. He finished his career with a program-best 0.90 goals against average and 40 shutouts - which also ranks second in NAIA history.

Midfielder Scott Spangler capped off his career with two goals and a career-high 12 assists as he was named to the NCCAA All-American Second Team for the third straight year. He finishes tied for sixth in school history with 27 career assists while starting all 88 matches he played in. Brady Swanson, a defender, led the team with 2,369 minutes played this year while scoring five goals as he closed out his career with 15 career goals and having played in all 90 of the team’s matches over the past four years. Scott Forester, a forward, scored six goals in his final season, while Jordan Sharp, a defender, saw action in three matches off the bench.

"Our seniors can leave their collegiate career with a sense of pride knowing just what they accomplished and contributed,” said Furey of a class that posted 56 wins over the past four years. "They certainly have left their mark on the Cougar soccer program.”

Junior forward Cody Snouffer had a breakout season for MVNU as he led the team with 11 goals and 12 assists on his way to being named to the NCCAA All-American Second Team. Junior defender Kemar Jackson was also on the NCCAA All-American Second Team and an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American after recording four goals and two assists while anchoring the Cougars’ backline that posted a school-record 16 shutouts. Juniors Chris Mast (nine goals and three assists), Jake Reber (two assists), and Nick Bryan gave MVNU plenty of depth in the midfield, while junior defender Steve Armstrong (one assist) earned a starting spot on the back line and was second on the team in minutes played (2,279).

Sophomore forward Chris Allen posted nine goals and nine assists in the team’s attack, while freshman midfielder Brian Petak (three goals and two assists) also contributed on the offensive end. Sophomore midfielder Kyle Maxam and sophomore defender Eric Appiah played key roles in adding to the depth of the team, while sophomore goalkeeper Trevor Stewart proved to be a capable back-up for Stout with a shutout in his only start. Sophomore defender Steve Wilging also started 15 matches for the Cougars before being sidelined by an injury, and freshman defender Damon Yoder and freshman midfielder Jon Peck saw action off the bench. Sophomore defender Felipe Correa and freshman defender Jacob Doup rounded out the roster for MVNU.

"Our soccer program has evolved during my time here which can be attributed to many things, but one vital aspect to our continuing success has been the support and leadership of our athletic director, Scott Flemming,” Furey said. "As an administrator, he has done a great job leading our athletic teams and being an advocate for us.”

"I was very proud of not only our competitive spirit this year, but the character and class we demonstrated as a team,” Furey added. "I know we represented the university well for what it stands for - its mission and distinct Christian emphasis.”