Men's Soccer Earns 7th Straight Trip to Nationals

Article Courtesy of Phil Hicks, Tyler Morning Telegraph

Tyler Junior College played another Texas team in Mississippi and now the soccer squad is headed to Virginia.

TJC scored a 2-0 win over rival San Jacinto-South on Sunday in the South District Soccer Tournament championship in Picayune, Mississippi to earn a trip to the NJCAA Men's National Soccer Tournament, joining the women's team which earned a berth on Saturday.

The Apaches (16-3) are the defending national champion and have earned their seventh straight trip to nationals.

"We didn't mind at all traveling to Mississippi if it meant getting a chance to go to nationals," laughed TJC coach Steve Clements, who has led the Apaches to four national titles.This year's event is set for Nov. 16-21 at Smith River Soccer Complex in Axton, Virginia. It is the Apaches' 11th national tournament appearance.

"We played well and we had another shutout. I think we are playing as well as we have all season."

The second goal came in the 69th minute as Brendan O'Connor, a sophomore from Brandon, Florida. Ramario Thompson, a a sophomore from Santa Cruz, Jamaica.TJC took a 1-0 in the 15th minute on a goal by Nestor Peralta, a sophomore from New Orleans. He scored off an assist from Brahan Gamarra, a sophomore from Atlanta.

Junior Santos, a sophomore from New Orleans, played all 90 minutes in goal. It was the Apaches' 10th shutout of the season.

On Saturday, TJC defeated Hinds (Mississippi) 3-0 to advance to the tournament final. San Jacinto earned a finals berth with a 2-1 win over Pearl River (Mississippi). The Coyotes finish their season at 12-6-1.