Apaches finish Runner Up at Nationals
Box Score: https://www.apacheathletics.com/sports/msoc/2023-24/boxscores/20231118_ztym.xml
Photos: https://www.njcaa.org/sports/msoc/2023-24/photos/0044/index
Phil Hicks Sports Editor Tyler Morning Telegraph
The TJC Apaches were so close to winning their seventh national soccer championship and the school's 69th national title, but they came up just short on Saturday.
Monroe (New York) edged Tyler Junior College, 4-3, in a shootout in the NJCAA Division I Men's National Soccer Tournament held at Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, Kansas. It was the second consecutive title for the Mustangs and their third crown.
The teams were tied 2-2 after regulation, after two overtime periods and after the first shootout before the Mustangs won in sudden death PK.
"It is tough to get this far and get so close," said TJC Coach Steve Clements, who has led the Apaches to six national championships along with one for Meridian (Mississippi). "I thought we had a good chance after we got into sudden death.
"I am so proud of this team. They played well all season and got us back on track. What a great group."
Tyler's Jake Shaked (sophomore, Mandurah, Australia) was voted Defensive Player of the Tournament. Shaked and teammate Mydas Smalls (sophomore, Red Lodge, England) also earned all-tournament.
Arizona Western's Terry Makedika was named Offensive Player of the Tournament.
Monroe's Thiago Jose Da Silva earned Most Valuable Player honors and Monroe's Marcus DiBernardo was named Coach of the Tournament. Angelina was voted Sportmanship Award.
TJC (18-2-2) led twice in regulation, 1-0 and 2-1, before Monroe rallied each time.
The Apaches took a 1-0 lead when Iman Ouedraogo Jr. scored his seventh goal of the season. It was an unassisted goal.
About 11 minutes later, Monroe tied the game at 101 as Hayato Otaka scored off an assist from Shotaro Kino. It was Otaka's first goal of the season.
The Tribe went back in front, 2-1, at 73:53 as Hagan Cupido scored off an assist by Denzel Akyirem. It was Cupido's 11th goal this season.
The Mustangs tied the game at 2-2 with 5:33 remaining in regulation as Da Silva had a bicyle kick that found the back of net. It was his third goal this year.
After both teams were scoreless in two overtime periods, it was a time for a shootout.
The Mustangs broke out to a 3-0 lead in the penalty kicks before TJC rallied.
Rodrigo Bacci Pereir, Lee and Stev Kevin Thallinge scored for Monroe. Cupido pulled the Apaches within 3-1, the first of three straight PKs for TJC.
Otaka was up next for Monroe, but his hesitation shot drifted wide right. Diomario Adamson then brought the Apaches within one with a goal to keep the shootout going.
Alejandro Silvestrini stepped up with another chance to win it for Monroe, but Tyler keeper Alfred Mikkelsen made a clutch save to give his team a chance. Smalls then made a good move to score high and right, tying the shootout at 3-3 and forcing an extra round.
In the sixth round of the shootout, Henrique Lobato entered the box for the Mustangs, and did not hesitate to score to the top-left corner of the net, forcing the Apaches to score to stay alive.
Itsuki Matsuyama came up for Tyler, but for the third time, Alvaro Ramos dove right for the save and the win.
Monroe (13-2-3) is the first back-to-back champion since Tyler accomplished that feat in 2016 and 2017.
The Apaches, under Clements, have won national championships in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017. TJC finished runner-up in 2013 and 2015.
Clements also led Meridian to the national title in 2000 when the tourney was held in Tyler.
TJC and Monroe met in the championship in 2014 with the Apaches winning 2-1 in Prescott, Arizona.
As the No. 4 seed, the Mustangs became the lowest seed to win the Division I men's soccer title since Tyler did so as No. 4 in 2017. The Apaches were the No. 7 seed.
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