CLINTON, Iowa - Earlier in the year, the 22nd-ranked Ashford University men's soccer team probably didn't realize it would be on a collision course with Viterbo University for the Midwest Collegiate Conference Title.
Well, that's exactly how the saga has unfolded as the top-seeded Saints will host the No. 2 seed V-Hawks tomorrow afternoon in Rock Island, Ill., at 3 p.m. with the conference tournament crown at stake.
AU, the regular-season conference champions, is playing in the MCC Tournament Championship game for the first time in school history.
The V-Hawks pulled off late heroics in their semifinal clash against third-seeded Grand View University, scoring the game-winning goal with just 18 ticks left on the clock.
But it was Viterbo's second win over the vaunted Vikings, proving their regular-season triumph was no fluke, and led by high-scoring forward Jamie Robertson, the V-Hawks are for real.
Ashford is also for real.
The still undefeated Saints moved up in the final NAIA Top-25 Coaches Poll and thrashed Mt. Mercy College in their semifinal bout to the tune of a 4-0 shutout.
As one of six unbeatens left in the nation regardless of numbers, AU wants to keep the train rolling towards a potential trip to the NAIA National Championships in Fresno, Calif.
"It's nice to have the top two seeds play for the MCC Championship," MCC Coach of the Year Richard Markham said. "It's going to be a very good match between two teams that have really played well all season long. I have a lot of respect for Viterbo for the way they play and I expect it to be a close game just like our first match."
"Whoever can capitalize on the other team's mistakes and whoever can defend is going to win this game," he added. "I don't expect it to be a shootout, but I expect it to be a great game between two teams who possess the ball."
Ashford pulled out an overtime win over Viterbo in its regular-season meeting on the Saints' home field, 2-1, back in late September. Sophomore Rafael Machado of Sao Paulo, Brazil, scored the game winner.
