by Matt Koll
We’re down to the final four teams standings in the PAC men’s soccer season. The quarterfinal round saw a couple of blowout wins for two teams to advance. But the defending champion Geneva Golden Tornadoes and the top-seeded Franciscan Barons await.
Let’s take a look at the semifinal matchups and who is still vying for a championship.
THE MATCH:
#4 ALLEGHENY @ #1 FRANCISCAN
EARLIER THIS SEASON…
The Barons were all over Allegheny, beating them 5-1 back on October 22nd. Lucas Cross scored twice as Franciscan put a crooked number on the scoreboard, despite being outshot by the Gators 20-16.
KEY PLAYERS:
- Lucas Cross (FRAN) 2nd in PAC in goals
- Brady Napolean (ALL) PAC-leading five game-winning goals
- Aiden Miller (FRAN) PAC-leading eight shutouts in goal
- Will Gruca (ALL) Tied for 5th in PAC in assists
THE BREAKDOWN:
PAC champions in 2022, Franciscan University is vying for a second conference crown in the last three years. (Photo courtesy of FUS Athletics).
Franciscan earned the top seed in this year’s tournament after going unbeaten in conference play during the regular season. Because of that, they haven’t lost a game since September 18.
What jumps off their regular season résumé is the sheer amount of scoring they’ve amassed. The Barons’ 52 goals are 13 more than the next-best PAC team. But interestingly, offense has not been a big emphasis for this team. “We have not spent much time talking about offense this season. We have spent most of the season working on our team defense and just letting our guys have the freedom to attack and be creative offensively,” said Franciscan head coach Brent Ridenour.
Ridenour claims the Barons’ commitment to defense has rewarded them in PAC play. And that checks out, as the Barons posted five shutouts against conference teams this season.
There’s no doubt this team has plenty of offensive firepower, starting with Lucas Cross. Cross scored twice in the regular season matchup against Allegheny and his 17 goals are 2nd in the conference. Teammate Ryan Miller isn’t far behind him in 4th place with nine goals and Julien Freeman is tied for 5th with eight goals.
On the other side stand the Gators (gators can’t stand…right? Would be terrifying if they could) of Allegheny, who are trying to ride the momentum of a 5-0 beatdown of Chatham in the quarterfinals. They shot out to an early lead, tallying their first goal just four minutes into the match and never looked back. The PAC’s chief goal scorer, Brady Napoleon, put two in the net in the victory and he may need to repeat that performance if Allegheny wants to get past Franciscan.
It’s not hyperbole, Napoleon has had a historically good season. He now has 18 goals on the season, which is a single season record at Allegheny, a record that stood for 47 years.
Allegheny clearly didn’t have the answers when these two met just two weeks ago, falling flat in a 5-1 loss. The Gators sit at 7th in the PAC in scoring, so they’ll need their defense to show up big and keep the high-powered Barons in check in order to stay in this game and win it.
Getting off to another hot start like they did against Chatham in the quarterfinals would certainly help as well. We’ll see if something clicked for Allegheny last week that will bring them to another level or if Fransican will prove too hot to handle once again.
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THE MATCH:
#3 GROVE CITY @ #2 GENEVA
EARLIER THIS SEASON…
It was a repeat in the championship game rematch from last season, with the exact same result. Another 1-0 affair went the way of the Golden Tornadoes as Wil Dunda scored the lone goal needed for victory.
KEY PLAYERS:
- Noah Gray (GCC) 6th in the PAC in goals scored
- Carnel Kerr (GEN) 8th in the PAC in goals scored
- Teddy Almeter (GCC) 2nd in PAC in goals against average
- George Cottenden (GEN) 7th in PAC in shots on goal
THE BREAKDOWN:
Carnel Kerr and the Geneva Golden Tornadoes are trying to make it two PAC titles in a row. (Photo courtesy Geneva College Athletics).
“We have great team chemistry and a culture that allows us to strive for greatness year in and year out. Our group is talented, competitive, and focused on playing well this week.” That’s what Geneva head coach Gary Dunda said about his squad, fresh off a championship season and looking for another.
This year’s outfit boasts the conference’s best scoring margin, thanks in large part to the fact that they have only given up six goals all season. Yes, six. Total. All season. A stifling defense has been coupled by impressive offensive seasons from Carnel Kerr and George Cottenden. The Golden Tornadoes have all the elements to repeat as champions.
Grove City, meanwhile, notched a blowout 4-0 victory over W&J in the quarterfinal round. “I think we have been improving as the season goes on. We have been able to control games a bit more with possession and stopping counter attacks which has helped us late in conference play. It was really a 2-0 game that we were able to break open with two quick goals late in the game,” said head coach Mike Dreves.
But when it comes to this semifinal matchup, this is a chance for revenge. The Wolverines saw their season come up just short of the ultimate goal last season at the hands of Geneva. Then they experienced the same 1-0 defeat earlier this season. But if the Wolverines can find a way this time, the pain would make the victory that much sweeter.
The obvious problem has been getting something, anything, on the scoreboard against the Golden Tornadoes.
“Geneva has defended well all season and has one of the best goals against in the country. Our hope is to get a few good chances and be clinical in those moments. Games are 90 minutes but come down to just a few key plays that make the difference. We just have to be good in those key moments,” says Dreves.
Noah Gray’s eight goals on the season is tied for 5th in the PAC, and half of those have been game-winning goals. He’ll be someone Grove City looks to to provide an offensive spark.
Grove City’s defense has been impressive in its own right, allowing the 2nd-fewest goals in the PAC in front of goalkeeper Teddy Almeter, who recorded eight shutouts and had the 2nd-lowest goals against average in the conference.
Dunda wouldn’t say if there is extra pressure or higher expectations for Geneva in coming off a championship campaign, but only complimented the conference and his group’s play this season.
“We always have high expectations for ourselves, and this season is no different. Every PAC match has its own challenges because each team is talented and well coached. We have a battle-tested group that is eager to play well and have a good week.”
Will Geneva’s elite defense continue to get the better of Grove City or will the Wolverines finally break through?
