ATHLETICS
The Viking men’s soccer team followed with a postseason run that included a 5-1 win over Baker in the championship game of the Heart Postseason Tournament, and a late 1-0 win over Olivet Nazarene (Illinois) University in the first round of the 2017 NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship, sending the team to Delray, Florida. Missouri Valley then earned a 3-1 win over Madonna (Michigan) University in the second round, and a 2-0 quarterfinal win over the University of Mobile (Alabama). A semifinal contest with Marymount (California) University followed, and the Vikings used more late-match heroics. After struggling to put shots on goal all game, Missouri Valley came down to the final seconds of the contest, tied at 0-0. What was going to be the final chance of the game for the Vikings turned into a game-winning situation. Dominic Newton gained possession near the Marymount box, and kept possession until close to goal. His show was deflected, but went to the feet of Pedro Garcia, who scored the game-winner with 16-seconds remaining in regulation to send Missouri Valley into the National championship match for the first time in program-history.
regulation, sending the contest into the first overtime period. Missouri Valley nearly won its first National title early in the first overtime, but a shot from Baskalo hit the underside of the crossbar, and bounced away from goal. The second overtime period featured a shot from Sousa, but his attempt was saved. With time winding down in the second overtime period, Wayland Baptist took advantage of an opportunity in front of the Viking goal, and scored to end the game with less than two minutes remaining before penalty kicks, defeating Missouri Valley, 1-0. Despite the tough finish to the season, the men’s soccer team advanced to the National championship game for the first time in program-history. The Vikings also won the program’s fifth regular season conference championship and the third Heart Postseason Tournament title. Two Vikings were named All-Americans. James Mclaren was chosen as a second team All-American, while Uros Ilic was a first team All-American and the NAIA Player of the Year. Ilic was also the Heart Player of the Year, and led six selections to the Heart All-Conference Team.
Wayland Baptist waited in the National title match, a team which was riding a 12-match unbeaten streak. Both teams failed to find a goal in
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