Men's soccer wins first CAA title
Ian Richardson | Sports Editor
Issue date: 11/18/09 Section: Sports
The UNC Wilmington men's soccer team became the second Seahawk team in a week to come out on top of a Colonial Athletic Association tournament Sunday when they narrowly defeated Northeastern 1-0 at the UNCW soccer stadium. The win followed up on the women's soccer teams triumph over James Madison one week earlier, solidifying the Seahawks as the conference's top soccer program in 2009.
In a highly contested game, junior forward Nassim Berhouni nipped the game's only goal with just under four minutes remaining to give the Seahawks a slender but vital advantage. The goal was Berhouni's third of the season.
Following the match, four Seahawks were honored with All-Tournament recognition. Goalkeeper Brock Duckworth and defender Indy Smith, who helped secure shutouts in both tournament match-ups, joined midfielders Brian Harrison and Daniel Roberts on the 11-man roster. Smith, last season's CAA Defender-of-the-Year, also collected tournament MVP honors.
The win continued the Seahawks' 13-game unbeaten streak as they completed the entire CAA slate undefeated. The No. 18 Seahawks will carry a 14-2-4 overall record into their first NCAA tournament appearance where they will face-off against in-state rivals, Charlotte, Thursday, Nov. 19.
The 49ers, who will be the home side, hold a record of 11-3-5 and are currently ranked 25th.
The match-up will be particularly exciting for Seahawks' head coach Aidan Heaney, who will return to coach against his alma mater. Heaney lettered as the 49ers goalkeeper (1988-91) and had his number retired by the university in 2003.
Heaney believes his team is ready for the challenge. "We're excited to be in the tournament and eager to get on the field," he said. "Charlotte is a quality opponent who has a solid season. They are a dangerous opponent who already has a win at Wake Forest to their credit."
The winner of Thursday's match-up will then travel to take on third-seeded Wake Forest in the second round.
In a highly contested game, junior forward Nassim Berhouni nipped the game's only goal with just under four minutes remaining to give the Seahawks a slender but vital advantage. The goal was Berhouni's third of the season.
Following the match, four Seahawks were honored with All-Tournament recognition. Goalkeeper Brock Duckworth and defender Indy Smith, who helped secure shutouts in both tournament match-ups, joined midfielders Brian Harrison and Daniel Roberts on the 11-man roster. Smith, last season's CAA Defender-of-the-Year, also collected tournament MVP honors.
The win continued the Seahawks' 13-game unbeaten streak as they completed the entire CAA slate undefeated. The No. 18 Seahawks will carry a 14-2-4 overall record into their first NCAA tournament appearance where they will face-off against in-state rivals, Charlotte, Thursday, Nov. 19.
The 49ers, who will be the home side, hold a record of 11-3-5 and are currently ranked 25th.
The match-up will be particularly exciting for Seahawks' head coach Aidan Heaney, who will return to coach against his alma mater. Heaney lettered as the 49ers goalkeeper (1988-91) and had his number retired by the university in 2003.
Heaney believes his team is ready for the challenge. "We're excited to be in the tournament and eager to get on the field," he said. "Charlotte is a quality opponent who has a solid season. They are a dangerous opponent who already has a win at Wake Forest to their credit."
The winner of Thursday's match-up will then travel to take on third-seeded Wake Forest in the second round.
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