CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL
BOX SCORE
TAMPA, FLA. – The American Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Championship went to penalty kicks for the third consecutive year, and fourth-seeded Tulsa defended its title by outlasting third-seeded UConn 4-3 on PKs to win the conference crown.
The Hurricane had a 23-7 shot advantage after 110 minutes of play, including a 7-4 edge in shots on goal. Tulsa also held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks. The Huskies was called for nine fouls and the Golden Hurricane was whistled for 12.
UConn goalkeeper Scott Levene made six saves, while Tulsa keeper Jake McGuire stopped three shots on target.
In penalty kicks, McGuire saved a shot by UConn’s DeAndrae Brown to even things up at 3-3. Michael Mitrik converted a shot on the next attempt to put the Hurricane up 4-3 and the Huskies’ equalizing tally came up short as Kwame Awuah’s shot went high, giving Tulsa the championship win.
In regulation, Tyler Leeman got the Huskies on the board in the third minute when he found the back of the net on an assist from Awuah. UConn led 1-0 midway through the first half until Tulsa’s Miguel Velasquez scored in the 41
st minute to tie the score at 1-1.
Tulsa won the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship and will await their seeding for the Men’s College Cup. The NCAA Championship selection show is set for Monday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on
www.ncaa.com.
All-Tournament Team
John Lujano, M, SMU
Nazeem Bartman, F, USF
Bradley Bourgeois, B, Tulsa
Geoffrey Dee, M, Tulsa
Miguel Velazquez, F, Tulsa
Jake McGuire, GK, Tulsa
Lesley Nchanji, F, Tulsa
Scott Levene, GK, UConn
Abdou Mbacke Thiam, F, UConn
Kwame Awuah, M, UConn
Tyler Leeman, M, UConn
Most Outstanding Offensive Player
Lesley Nchanji, F, Tulsa
Most Outstanding Defensive Player
Bradley Bourgeois, B, Tulsa