Hardin-Simmons Set For Soccer Sectionals

Men's game Notes | Women's Game Notes

INDIANAPOLIS — Hardin-Simmons’ soccer teams have learned game times and opponents for the NCAA Soccer Sectional Tournaments this weekend as both teams fight for a berth in their first-ever Division III Final Four.

The Cowgirls will stay in Texas and face a familiar foe in Trinity. The two teams opened the season with a game that Trinity won in overtime, 1-0. Trinity is 17-0 on the year and the Cowgirls have reeled off 20 straight wins since its loss to the Tigers. Game time is set for 5 p.m. Saturday in San Antonio.

This marks the sixth time the two teams have played in the NCAA Tournament in coach Marcus Wood’s nine-year coaching tenure. HSU is 3-1-1 in the previous five and won the shootout in the game the teams tied.

“It was good to see us not paired in the first or second round this year,” said Wood. “We think that we are two of the better teams in the country and we have always had to play early and knock one out. They split us up this year and we are both at this point. Another benefit is when you get this deep in the tournament you often don’t know much about your opponent, but that is not the case. We know them and they know us. We both match-up well with each other and it should be a great game.”

The winner will get the winner of the other sectional semifinal between Lynchburg (17-3-3) and Concordia-Moorhead (18-0-2). The final is slated for a 6 p.m. start.

On the men’s side, the Cowboys (12-2-6) are in uncharted waters as a program. HSU had never won a game in the NCAA Tournament prior to this season, but have knocked off Mary Hardin-Baylor and Trinity in the first two rounds. Those are the only two teams to have beaten the Cowboys this season. HSU has allowed only 13 goals this season.

HSU will play Whitworth University out of Washington. The Pirates come into the game with a record of 15-2-3. The game will be played as part of the sectional at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Loras is ranked seventh nationally with a record of 20-2-1 and they will play Dominican 17-1-3 in the other sectional final. Dominican and Loras will play the first semifinal at 5 p.m. on Saturday and HSU will play at 7:30. The final will be at 6 p.m. on Sunday.

“We don’t know much about any of the teams in the regional,” said HSU head coach Dan Heger. “Our system is set up to be successful against different styles of play so that should help us. Our guys are excited to go up there and play. Obviously, they gained some confidence by beating No. 2 Trinity on their home field so hopefully we can carry that on. I like the feel of my team right now.”

Both teams are fighting for a berth in the NCAA Final Four. The Final Four will be played in San Antonio in two weeks.
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