MVNU (16-3-2), which was hosting just its second NAIA postseason match ever and was playing in its first-ever NAIA National Championship match, wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard when Worrall took a pass from sophomore forward Rockey Cane in the 12th minute and out-raced the defense to score on a breakaway attempt to put the Cougars on top 1-0. The goal was Worrall’s team-leading 21st of the season.

Both teams had opportunities in the first half with MVNU holding a 6-5 edge in total shots and a 3-1 margin in shots on goal. However, the first half ended without any further scoring as the Cougars took the 1-0 advantage to warmth of the locker room as the teams took a much-needed 15-minute break to try to warm up from the sub 30-degree temperatures.

Early in the second half, Worrall (left) struck again. He out-ran the Lee defender Jonathan Moody and found himself in a one-on-one situation with the Flames’ goalkeeper, Luidgi Beauzile. Worrall flicked a shot past the charging Beauzile and found the back of the net again with just 6:04 gone in the second half to extend the lead to 2-0. With his 22nd goal of the year, Worrall matched his total from the previous three years combined and also moved within one goal of third place on MVNU’s all-time list that is currently occupied by former Cougar standout Chip Wall, who scored 45 goals in his illustrious career.

That goal proved to be the breaking point for at least one Lee player as 21 seconds later Jamey Loucks was ejected from the match for shoving MVNU sophomore defender Kemar Jackson into junior goalkeeper Alex Stout leaving Jackson sprawled on the ground and Stout with a cut on his head. The match was then delayed 30 minutes while an ambulance was needed to take Jackson to the hospital for facial injuries and a possible concussion among other things as he lay motionless for a long period of time and every precaution was taken.

Trailing by two goals with less than 29 minutes remaining in the match, the Flames (9-10-2) would go on to pick up four second-half yellow cards, but fortunately the Cougars were able to keep their composure as they held on to post the 2-0 shutout. Lee managed just four shots in the final period, while MVNU took 11 shots.

“This is such a tremendous day for us and for our program,” said MVNU coach Paul Furey (right, getting soaked by two players), who is in his 19th season leading the Cougars. “For us to not only qualify for the NAIA National Championship Opening Round and host it, but to win it, I’m just extremely happy for our players especially the seniors who are having a tremendous season. We had (MVNU president Dr. Dan Martin) in to speak to us last week and I really liked the advice that he gave us. It was really part of my theme that I wanted to really convey to our players and that was to keep doing what you are doing. In many ways, that has been our theme. We have been consistent all year. Guys have approached each match with a professional mindset to excel, and they have demonstrated character in doing that. I’m just thrilled to be a part of this group and what they have accomplished this year. We certainly took Dr. Martin’s words to heart.”

“If Adam is not an All-American, I’m not sure who is,” said Furey of Worrall, who has now scored nine game-winning goals among his 22 goals this season. “We’ll leave that up to a committee to decide, but he certainly played like an All-American today. He elevated his game once again and came up big for us. Also, our back line and Alex in goal again gave us everything we needed to shut (Lee) down and they did a great job.”

Stout stopped three shots in registering his school-record 12th shutout of the year and increased his career total to a school-record 24 shutouts in just three seasons. Beauzile posted eight saves for the Flames, who were making their third NAIA National Championship appearance in the past four years.

“I just appreciate so much the fan support that we had today with everyone coming out in the cold weather during the Ohio State-Michigan football game and supporting us,” said Furey. “It was just a big boost to our spirits and energy level. The drums and cheerleaders and fan participation was just fantastic. I really appreciate the University doing a first-rate job of hosting this NAIA National Championship Opening Round. I think we really put our best foot forward and did our very best in accommodating our guests and representing our school in such a great way. I’m grateful for that support.”

The Cougars, who were ranked No. 7 in the final NAIA poll, will now advance to the NAIA National Championship Final Site at Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, Calif. MVNU will take on No. 3 seed Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) College, the top-ranked team in the final poll, on December 1 at 4:30 p.m. in the second round. The Blue Raiders (18-1-1), who have won seven NAIA national titles in the past 13 years, defeated King (Tenn.) College 6-0 in their Opening Round match on Saturday.

“We are looking forward to going out west and who knows what can happen there,” said Furey. “We’ve done so many great things this year that we might do something really crazy like win the national championship. We’re just pumped that we are going right now.”

Complete NAIA National Championship Opening Round Coverage