UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – For the first time since 2012, the Saginaw Valley State University men's soccer team won the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Postseason Tournament Championship with a victory over Davenport University on Sunday at Braddock Field.
The Cardinals answered an early goal from Davenport and led 2-1 early in the second half. After the Panthers tied the game in the 58th minute, SVSU answered 26 seconds later with the game-winning goal from Chidie Nnolim.
The tournament title is the second GLIAC championship in program history for the Cardinals and the second time SVSU has claimed both the regular season and postseason titles in the same season. SVSU heads to the NCAA DII National Tournament unbeaten with a record of 14-0-4.
Davenport, which closes the year 8-8-3, got the scoring started early with an unassisted goal from Matt Whelan in the 12th minute. SVSU was able to send the game to the break tied at 1-1 agger the fourth goal of the season from Jayden Cameron on an assist from Brady Walker.
GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year Jonathan Monney put SVSU in front for the first time in the 51st minute on his 16th goal of the season, with an assist to Phila Dlamini.
Whelan scored his 16th of the season for Davenport less than seven minutes later to tie the game at 2-2.
SVSU wasted little time answering, as Monney played a ball off to Nnolim on the right side. His strike went over the Davenport goalkeeper to the back post, putting the Cardinals back in front for good.
The Panthers had several chances down the stretch to tie the game, but the SVSU defense stood tall and held on for the win. Davenport led the total shots 21-11 and held a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Nick Kay made seven saves in net for the Cardinals.
SVSU will find out its draw for the upcoming NCAA DII National Tournament with the selection show airing on Monday night. The Cardinals have an excellent chance to host the opening two rounds of the event starting Friday.
2022 GLIAC All-Tournament Team
Logan Kunnen, Saginaw Valley State Chidie Nnolim, Saginaw Valley State Elliot Nottoli, Saginaw Valley State Anthony Waller, Saginaw Valley State George Deveau, Davenport Faheem Patel, Davenport Cian Quinn, Davenport Mario Bolado, Parkside Jules Peycelon, Parkside Harrison Hooper, Purdue Northwest Ryan Moran, Purdue Northwest