Dec. 3, 2008

FRESNO, Calif. – (box score) The third Quarterfinal game went scoreless for 87 minutes but No. 14 seed Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) University claimed a 1-0 win over No. 11 seed Westmont (Calif.) College at the 50^th Annual NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship at the final site, hosted by Fresno Pacific (Calif.) University. In their first ever Championship appearance, the Cougars now battle No. 2 seed Rio Grande (Ohio) in the Semifinals on Friday (Dec. 5) at 7:30 p.m. PST.

Mt. Vernon Nazarene’s Cody Snouffer nailed the game-winner just three minutes into the game. The assist came from Adam Worrall.  Worrall has now played a role in both game-winning goals in his team’s play at the final site. He recorded the game-winning goal in the Second Round win on Monday (Dec. 1).

Westmont had scoring opportunities but could not dent the MVNU defense. Alex Stout and the Cougar defense turned away 13 overall shots and four shots on the net. Stout extended his school record of season shut-outs with his 14^th on the year.

As a team, MVNU broke a school record with its 14^th shut-out on the year, besting the 1998 team’s output.

Westmont ends its season with a 12-7-2 mark in this its 16^th overall Championship appearance and first since 2000. The college community will be remembered for its ability to persevere through a tragic Tea Fire that swept through campus right before the conference championship game in mid-November. The fire destroyed nine buildings, 50 dorm rooms and 15 faculty homes. Three team members had their housing directly affected while head coach Dave Wolf and his family lost their home completely.

Despite all the tragedy, the Warriors managed to pull together seven straight wins entering tonight.

For more information on the 2008 National Championship, click here.

Some information courtesy of Westmont Sports Information