UT Tyler Men Cruise to National Title, Women's Soccer Takes Third
By Mickey Smith
Tyler Morning Telegraph
November 1, 2003

All of the pre-tournament seedings for the United States Collegiate Athletic Association held true on Saturday at Patriot Field as the USCAA national soccer tournament drew to a close with the championship round of games.

The top-seeded University of Texas at Tyler men's team capped off a 20-1 season by winning the men's title with a 5-0 thrashing of second-seeded Maine-Machias.

In women's action, the top seeds traded places as the second-seeded University of Dallas took a convincing 4-0 win over top-seeded Southern Virginia to take first-place honors.

The UT Tyler women fought back from a disappointing second-round setback to the University of Dallas in the semifinals to post a 7-0 shutout of Maine-Machias and claim third place for the Patriots.

Men's Championship Game

The top-seeded Patriots got two goals from tournament Most Valuable Player Barrett Browning and two goals from all-tournament pick Malek Bekka en route to the 5-0 victory.

But it was far from a dual effort that earned the national crown, according to Patriots head coach Kenny Jones.

"We have played great team ball all season long," said Jones. "Our guys are very unselfish and have really come together when it counted.

"Our defense has been one of our strengths all season and they came through for us again big-time (Saturday)," said Jones.

The Patriots got the scoring started in the 18th minute of play when Browning capped off a perfectly placed crossing pass from former T.K. Gorman standout Travis Whitehurst for the 1-0 lead.

Just six minutes later, Browning blasted a penalty kick into the left corner of the net for a 2-0 cushion as the two teams retired for the halftime break.

In the 64th minute of play, Michael Franguille made a steal at midfield and pushed the ball upfield past two Clippers defenders before cranking a shot from 10 yards out. The shot was slightly deflected by Maine's Matt Sayler before Zach Boydston was in the right place for UT Tyler, redirecting the ball into the net for the 3-0 lead - a lead that seemed to take the wind out of the Clippers' sails.

"That third goal was really big for us," said Jones. "We had talked about continuing to attack and not letting up at the half, and the guys did a great job in carrying out the game plan."

Apparently, the coach was right. It took only 56 seconds for the Patriots to score again as Malek Bekka made it a 4-0 lead on a solo effort.

Bekka made a steal at midfield and raced by the Clippers defense to set up a one-on-one with the Clippers goalie. Bekka faked left and pulled the goalie out of position, allowing Bekka to pound the ball into the right corner of the goal for a comfortable 4-0 advantage.

Bekka then teamed up with Jamie Parson on the final goal. It appeared Parson's shot was in the goal, but it bounced off the underside of the crossbar, leaving Bekka with a point-blank follow-up for the final goal.

UT Tyler's other all-tournament pick was goalie Josh Wilson, who played well throughout the tournament. Wilson fought back eight of the 16 shots on goal by the Clippers.

"This was a great finish to a great season," said Jones. "The guys played with a purpose all season long and it's nice to see their hard work and efforts pay off.

"And we have gotten great support from the fans and a lot of great school support that means a lot to the myself and the players as well."

Maine-Machias' all-tournament pick, Matt Sayler, had the best opportunity for a goal in the 72nd minute for the Clippers, but a diving effort from Wilson preserved the shutout for the Pats.

Along with Sayler, Brett Howarth and Steve Hill were all-tournament selections for the Clippers.

Women's Championship Game

The University of Dallas spread the scoring out and goalie Kelly Scofield made seven stops as the Crusaders cruised to a 4-0 win over the Knights from Southern Virginia.

Christine Read got the Crusaders on the board first after capitalizing on an assist from Kateri Collins just five minutes into the game.

The Knights defense stiffened until Collins scored unassisted in the 25th minute for a 2-0 lead at the half.

The second half played out in the midfield area for the most part, until UD's Tui Marie Bombeck gathered a pass from tournament Most Valuable Player Maddy Brink.

Brink made a crossing pass that left Bombeck with one defender to beat as the Knights goalie was pulled out of position by Brink's fancy footwork.

Brink would later fittingly score the final goal of the game for the Crusaders as Collins was credited with her second assist in the 86th minute.

The Crusaders controlled the tempo of the game throughout as they outshot the Knights 27-9 and held an 8-2 corner kick advantage.

Women's Third-place Game

UT Tyler was out to prove a point in the first game of the morning Saturday at Patriot Field, and its point (or points) was well-taken.

All-tournament selection Leigh Garner had a hat trick and Cara Janton added two goals as the Patriots blasted the Clippers of Maine-Machias 7-0 for third place.

Garner's first goal came in the 12th minute of the game when she scored unassisted after making a steal in Clippers territory.

The second goal came from great teamwork and the third goal was another Garner highlight film.

Erica Nelson made the initial assist on the second goal when her pass was one-touched and slightly redirected by Patricia Slate to Lindsey Henrie.

Henrie, an all-tournament pick also, capped off the passing with a goal and a 2-0 lead.

Next, Garner worked her defensive magic with another steal and a breakaway goal for the 3-0 Patriot lead.

Slate joined in the scoring when she finished off an assist from Garner to make it a 4-0 halftime lead for UT Tyler.

Janton then went to work as the second half began, picking up both of her goals within the first three minutes of the final half.

In the 47th minute, Janton scored off an assist from Michelle Hughes and then came back within a minute later to score unassisted after making a steal at the midfield circle.

Garner then capped off the season and the game with her third goal in the 85th minute of play. The Garner goal came unassisted as she outran a Clippers defender to the loose ball just outside the 18-yard box.

"Our whole team just played a great game today," said UT Tyler women's coach Jodi Lovell. "I was afraid the girls would be down after the close loss on Friday, but they all came out and passed the ball well and our back line was just incredible."

One of those steady backline defenders which are rarely seen in the scoring boxes was all-tournament pick Lindsey Gill.

Soccer Home Page
Athletics Home Page