The fall 2009 men’s soccer team has traveled many miles, both figuratively and literally. This weekend, the soccer team has traveled many literal miles from Dunbar, Wisconsin, to Kissimmee, Florida, to compete in the NCCAA Soccer National Championship. On Friday, they faced Clearwater Christian College with a loss 3–2. Northland then moved on to play the #2 seed Manhattan Christian College. As so often is the case in soccer, the team who possesses the ball more does not always win. In an even more lopsided possession game than Clearwater, Northland showed great poise and was able to impose their will on a solid Manhattan side; but in a mirror image form of the last game, Northland could again not capitalize on their opportunities. After two losses, Northland went on to play for seventh place against Southwestern. With a solid game, Northland finished strong with a 9–1 win against Southwestern. This game was the conclusion of their 2009 season.
Regardless of the results of the championship games, Coach Andrew Scott is thankful for the spiritual miles that have been traveled this season. His goal as head soccer coach is to use the physical discipline of the game to build relationships for discipleship opportunities and to teach the biblical discipline of a close walk with God. His impact on his players goes beyond the field and into the heart, and he is encouraged to see the players taking up this philosophy as their own.
Read the tournament blog at http://northlandnationalreport.wordpress.com/.