No. 1 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) Heads to Eighth Championship Final after Defeating No. 5 Simon Fraser (B.C.) 3-0
Dec. 4, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - (box score) No. 1 seed Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), a team with the second-most titles of any program (7), advances to its eighth Championship final after a 3-0 shutout of No. 5 Simon Fraser (B.C.) in the first Semifinal of the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship on Friday at Ramirez Field. The Blue Raiders, who last won the Championship in 2005, are scheduled to play at 3 p.m. PST on Saturday. They will await their opponent, which will be the winner of the second Semifinal between No. 3 Rio Grande (Ohio) and No. 15 The Master's (Calif.).
Lindsey Wilson, who now has won 11 straight matches on the year, has never lost in the Championship final going a perfect 7-0. In 2005, the Blue Raiders were on the winning end of a 4-1 match against Azusa Pacific (Calif.).
The match was played between two of the more storied programs in NAIA history. Both schools boast a combined 10 National Championships (Lindsey Wilson - 7, Simon Fraser - 3). In their 17th Championship appearance, the Blue Raiders improved to 39-9-4 all-time. Simon Fraser wrapped up its 22nd trip and fell to 40-17-4 all-time. The 40 wins only trail Quincy (Ill.) for the most in postseason history (41).
The game was physical throughout as 27 fouls were whistled. Lindsey Wilson's (19-2-1) offense proved itself in the early going.
Lebogang Moloto scored in the 19th minute to give the Blue Raiders a 1-0 advantage. He was assisted by Chris Ochieng. That goal snapped a seven-match shutout streak for Simon Fraser.
In the 55th minute, Moses Aduny redirected a pass from Chris Williams, which was crossed by Luis Campo. That goal put the match out of reach for Simon Fraser as the Blue Raiders now led 2-0.
Moloto added his third marker of the Championship in the 84th minute. He cleaned up a shot that deflected off the cross bar and found the right side of the net.
Lindsey Wilson controlled the offensive tempo firing 20 total shots. Seven of those shots were on goal. Simon Fraser managed just three overall and one on goal.
"We are excited to be in the final, just like anybody would be," said Lindsey Wilson head coach Ray Wells. "This is an opportunity to get back to where we want to be as a program and a school. Both of the opponents will be excellent. Rio is in our conference so that would be crazy to have a conference game out in California. That would be good. To see The Master's, out of the Golden State Athletic Conference, which is obviously a great conference, would be great as well."
Lindsey Wilson goalkeeper Callum Christie recorded one save for the win.
Lindsey Wilson has seven Championship titles (1995-96, 1998-2001, 2005) - the second most all-time of any program. Quincy, a school no longer in the membership, has 11 to its credit.
Simon Fraser ends its year with a 19-4 mark.
Hosted by Fresno Pacific (Calif.) University and the Fresno Sports Council, the Championship will continue with the second Semifinal game at 4:30 PST between No. 3 Rio Grande (Ohio) and No. 15 The Master's (Calif.). For more information on the Championship, click here.
NOTES: Lindsey Wilson is looking to become just the second No. 1 seed since 2002 to win the title - No. 1 seed Azusa Pacific (Calif.) won the hardware in 2007 in Olathe, Kan... Since pool play was eliminated prior to 1999, Lindsey Wilson becomes the fourth No. 1 seed to play in the Championship final (Azusa Pacific in 2007, Lindsey Wilson in 2001 and Mobile (Ala.) in 1999)... During their current 11-match winning streak, the Blue Raiders have out-scored their opponents 46-1 - the lone goal came against Martin Methodist in the Quarterfinal (Dec. 2)... Prior to tonight, the shutout streak for Simon Fraser dated back to Oct. 19... Simon Fraser has now lost four straight matches in Semifinal play - the last win was against Rockhurst (Mo.) in 1987... Simon Fraser, in its 11th Semifinal, falls to 6-5 all-time in the Final Four... In their 11th Semifinal, the Blue Raiders are 8-2-1 all-time in Semifinal action... In its previous seven Championship final games, Lindsey Wilson has out-scored the opponent 21-5.
