WE ARE THE SOCCER CHAMPIONS

Eagles Soccer Team Continues Winning Tradition By Securing ASC Tournament Championship Title

first four matches of the season. A 1-0 victory over non-conference rival Hendrix College propelled the Eagles on a run as they won seven of their final eight matches on their way to the conference championship. “This team came together and pulled off something so amazing,” said Brueckner, who was named ASC Coach of the Year. “We struggled early in the season but they kept grinding and working and believing in the process. They stayed together and believed in each other, and it was so fun to watch them battle. We definitely peaked at the right time.” The Eagles advanced to the championship match with a pair of thrilling victories in the tournament. First they defeated Mary Hardin-Baylor in a heart-stopping 4-3 penalty-kick victory at Hurie Field. Next they eliminated top-seeded Hardin-Simmons 2-1 on the Cowboys’ home turf in a hard-fought semifinals match. The defense came through to shut down a Hardin-Simmons team that had scored eight goals in its previous two matches. In the championship match against a favored Concordia team, the Eagles got goals from the Haitian trio of Charleus Emmanuel Ritch, Alain Claude and Lorflis Milford and used a strong defensive

effort to shut down the Tornadoes. The Eagles also got stellar outings from junior midfielder and Tournament MVP Drew Mott and senior goalkeeper Logan Valenstin throughout the tournament. “There is no closer family than this team and this University and we’re proud to be able to share this trophy with the entire campus and the alumni of Ozarks,” Mott said. “We had the most difficult road through the bracket and I am just proud of all the guys and so happy to come out on top. It’s truly incredible what can be accomplished when you pull together as one. These are my brothers for life.” It was the breakthrough moment that Brueckner and his players had worked long and hard for. In the coach’s previous four seasons at Ozarks, the Eagles had lost numerous heartbreakers in the ASC Tournament quarterfinal or semifinal rounds. “The guys put in the work and the camaraderie and team unity were unbelievable,” Brueckner said. “ This championship is a result of the daily grind in practice and believing in the process. They believed in each other with great confidence. It was so fun to watch. They deserve this and I am just glad to be part of it.” The Eagles had just four seniors on the roster and the melting pot of players included teammates from as close by as Clarksville and Russellville and from as far away as Haiti, England and Zimbabwe. “We just had great team chemistry and worked together better than any team I’ve ever been a part of,” said Valestin, a four-year starter for Ozarks who was named ASC Goalkeeper of the Year and first-team All-ASC. “It was quite remarkable to see everything come together like this.” Other conference honors included, Mott being named the

Senior goalkeeper Logan Valenstin (above photo) had several keep saves in the penalty kick victory over Mary HardinBaylor in the first round of the ASC Championship Tournament. Kyle Seymour and Loris Milord (7) (left photo) celebrate Seymour’s late-match goal in the victory over Mary Hardin-Baylor at Hurie Field.

The 2020-21 conference-champion Eagles (above photo) had just four seniors on the roster. Head Coach Aaron Brueckner ‘11, a former Eagle standout, (left) was named the ASC Coach of the Year while the Haitian trio (right photo) of Charleus Emmanuel Ritch, Loris Milord, and Alain Claude earned All-ASC honors.