SHAWNEE – Oklahoma Baptist men's soccer team will compete in the NCCAA National Championship for the first time in program history. All matches will be played at Austin-Tindall Soccer Complex in Kissimmee, Florida.
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The Bison were selected as the eighth-overall seed in the nine-team field, and were placed in Pool "B" after qualifying as the NCCAA Central Region champions. Second-seeded Bethel (Ind.) and fifth-seeded Houghton comprise the other members of the pool.
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Vicente Castillo continues to lead the Bison with 13 goals and five assists this season.
Thiago Dos Santos has scored 11 goals and
Jonathan Martinez has assisted on seven goals to lead the team.
Colin Spencer has appeared in 11 matches this season, and has a goals-allowed average of 2.10.
Bronson Wise started both matches in goal for the Bison in the regional, and has a 1.69 goal-allowed average to go with a save percentage of .718.
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OBU will face the Pilots of Bethel on Monday afternoon. The Pilots are 11-7-3 this season as members of the NAIA. They have outscored opponents 44-24 and take 9.9 shots on goal per match, which ranks 15th in the NAIA. Lucas Moreira leads the Pilots with nine goals and four assists.
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NCAA Division III member Houghton awaits the Bison on Tuesday. The Highlanders are 11-5-4 this season, and have recorded six shutouts. Three players are tied for the team lead with seven goals, and Jacob Dunnett allows just 0.80 goals per match.
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The winner of the pool with join the other two pool champions as well as a fourth at-large team to make up the semifinal matches, played on Friday afternoon. The NCCAA Championship is scheduled for a 5:45 p.m. start Saturday.
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