ALC Soccer opens play in NCCAA DII National Championship, tie Faith Christian (IA) 2-2

Kissimmee, FL: On November 17th, the Alice Lloyd College Eagles traveled to the sunny south in Florida to open Pool B play in the 2025 Division II Men's Soccer National Championship. The #2 seeded Kentucky boys would open play against the #7 Faith Baptist Eagles (IA). The match would be tight throughout, but a last-second goal by the Iowa club would end the match with the score knotted up at 2-2.

The contest started with both clubs feeling their way around, but the midwestern team would respond the quickest. At minute 8:10, Faith Christian would receive a penalty kick, and Austin Lundberg would take full advantage, lacing a shot into the net for a 1-0 lead.

The two defenses would then take control of things from that point as neither would allow any more scores. The halftime horn would sound with FC still holding that same 1-0 advantage.

In the second half, Alice Lloyd looked to get on the scoreboard, but had no success until the 61:02 mark. At that juncture, Caney Creeks own Maddux Camden took things into his own hands. At that moment, Luis Sarabia would hand off a nice pass and Camden drilled it past the goalie to tie the score at 1-1.

The two clubs continued to battle intently, looking for an opportunity to break the tie. Eventually, at 73:03, ALC would strike gold. At that moment, Jensen Harbaugh would feed Dylan Moore, who promptly fed Camden once more. His aim was tried and true, and the goal lifted the Bluegrass boys to a big 2-1 lead. The question now would be "can they hold on"?

The Iowa team tried furiously to tie the score, but the Pippa Passes posse repelled their efforts each time. As the clock neared the final minute, Alice Lloyd seemed poised for victory, but Faith Christian had other plans. At 89:00, ALC committed a costly foul, and FC received an opportunity for a shot. On the ensuing play, Zachary Choi came through with a huge goal and suddenly, the contest was tied once again, 2-2.

From there, neither squad would connect again, and the final horn sounded with the scoreboard showing the 2-2 tie.

On the day, FC (11-4-4) led in shots (15-9), shots-on-goal (7-5), corner kicks (4-3), and fouls (15-9).

Camden delivered the goods with ALC's two scores while Sarabia, Moore, and Harbaugh were credited with assists. Defensively, Kalin Schneider recorded 5 saves  for the Caney club while Faith Christians Zeke Denger made 3 saves.

The Eagles (12-2-4) who earned 1 point on the day, will next face #6 Grace Christian University on Tuesday at 3:30, then conclude pool play on Thursday at 6:00pm against #3 Pensacola Christian College.  The winner of this pool will meet the winner of Pool A on Saturday at 6:00pm for the national championship.

Following the first day of action, the standings currently read as follows:

Pool A

Pool B