MVNU (4-1-0) got on the scoreboard in the first half when junior forward Adam Worrall ripped a shot from the top of the box into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute. The goal was Worrall’s team-leading fifth of the season, which eclipsed his total from last year.

The score remained that way until the second half when the visiting Lancers (1-3-0) were able to equalize in the 68th minute as Ryan Gerber slipped a pass off to Jordan Cone for the finish as Grace knotted the score at 1-1.

Less than five minutes later, the Cougars regained the lead when senior forward Steve Lesmes attacked the Lancers’ goal and then played the ball back to sophomore midfielder Chris Mast (left), who blasted a bending shot into the net for a 2-1 lead. The goal was the second of the tournament and the season for Mast and ended up being the game-winner for the second straight match.

In the 78th minute, sophomore midfielder Scott Spangler gave MVNU some breathing room when he converted a penalty kick opportunity to extend the Cougars’ lead to 3-1. That would prove to be the final goal of the match as MVNU held on for the win to earn the first-place trophy in the three-team event.

Sophomore goalkeeper Alex Stout stopped four shots on goal for the Cougars, while Grace’s Collin Grotbeck stopped two shots. MVNU held a 21-7 advantage in total shots, a 6-5 edge in shots on goal, and an 8-4 lead in corner kicks.

Mast was selected as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, while sophomore defender Brady Swanson (right) was named the Most Valuable Defensive Player. They were joined on the All-Tournament Team by Stout, Spangler, Lesmes, and Worrall as the Cougars earned six spots. Camilo Muller of Campbellsville (Ky.) University was named the Most Valuable Offensive Player after scoring four goals on Friday. Brent Salomon and Daniel Paz of Campbellsville joined Cone and Gerber of Grace to round out the All-Tournament selections.

“I really liked the way we came out and started this match and got after things early,” said MVNU head coach Paul Furey. “Even though we didn’t get a real early goal, I thought we really created pressure and kept the ball in our attacking half of the field. This was a much better start compared to Thursday. We just need to play more consistently, solid soccer for 90 minutes and we are striving to get there.”

“I was really excited for Chris to be named the MVP,” Furey added. “He’s worked so hard and has a great team attitude. He certainly had a great goal set up by Steve for the game-winner. Winning this tournament was certainly nice and is good preparation for the rest of the season. I really loved the atmosphere today with the great crowd turnout and especially the students playing their drums and making noise. It was a great place to play a home match, and I hope the crowd keeps coming out. It was as good as I’ve ever seen it for our tournament.”

MVNU will return to action on Friday at 3:30 p.m. when the Cougars will face Malone College in the first round of the Knox County Shootout, which will be played at Kenyon College.