In a match that did not have very many serious goal-scoring opportunities for either team, the host Raiders (8-7-2) held a 13-9 advantage in total shots in the match, while shots on goal were even at 4-4. MVNU (13-5-2), which is the No. 4 seed in the five-team tournament, held a 3-1 edge in corner kicks.

However, when it came down to penalty kicks, the match belonged to the Cougars. Junior midfielder Cody Snouffer stepped up first and buried his kick to give MVNU a 1-0 lead. After Femi Arogundade evened it at 1-1 for Roberts Wesleyan, sophomore forward Chris Allen nailed his shot to put the Cougars up 2-1.

Dan Ames missed his shot over the crossbar for the Raiders and senior midfielder Scott Spanger found the back of the net as MVNU built a 3-1 advantage. After Dan Lobene hit the post and sent his shot wide, junior midfielder Chris Mast ended the match by connecting as the Cougars prevailed 4-1 in the shootout.

Senior goalkeeper Alex Stout (above) posted four saves for MVNU as the Cougars posted their 13th shutout of the year and Stout notched his school-record 38th career shutout. Brion Ehman stopped four shots for Roberts Wesleyan.

"This was a match were we did not create a lot of dangerous chances in the attacking third, but we played well enough to keep them off the scoreboard,” said MVNU coach Paul Furey. "Then, we got the job done in a different form in the shootout. Our guys did a great job in the shootout, and Alex was big. He was an intimidating force and his stop on a penalty kick against them earlier in the season might have factor into them psychologically.”

"Overall, our guys got the job done to advance and now we are playing for a shot at a second consecutive trip to the NAIA national tournament,” Furey added. "I am proud of our guys and they have worked hard to get to this point. It will be a tough match tomorrow against a very solid team, but I know that we should be up to the challenge.”

MVNU will now advance to the AMC Tournament championship match to face No. 2 seed Notre Dame College on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. The winner of that match will receive a berth in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round on November 21.