Hat Trick Ends Cougars' Hopes

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Marco Mthembu had the first hat-trick of the tournament to lead William Carey (Miss.) to it first-ever NAIA tournament victory, defeating Azusa Pacific, 5-1, in the 38th Annual NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship Tournament at Legion Field.

Azusa Pacific scored first with a Jess Hetherington goal at the 2:41 mark, but the Cougars were shut out the rest of the way. Philippe Hindson knotted the game with an unassisted goal at 8:49. Mthembu scored the next 2 goals to give William Carey a 3-1 halftime lead. Scott Wilson opened the second half with an unassisted goal less than 2 minutes into play. Mthembu registered his hat-trick at 78:09.

William Carey will face defending national champion Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to Friday's semifinals. With the loss, the finest season in APU history comes to an end at 20-5.

Score by Periods
Azusa Pacific 1 0 -- 1
William Carey 3 2 -- 5

Scoring
2:41 - APU Hetherington (Ochoa)
8:49 - WCC Hindson unassisted)
18:57 - WCC Mthembu (Wilson)
35:47 - WCC Mthembu (Davidson)
46:10 - WCC Wilson (unassisted)
78:09 - WCC Mthembu (Chickanov)

Shots: APU - Ochoa 3, Hetherington 2, Roufs 1, Gierlich 1, Smith 1, Haras 1
WCC - Mthembu 6, Hindson 6, Owens 4, Arceneaux 3, Chickanov 2, Barone 2, Wilson 1, Baleey 1

Fouls: APU - Hofmann 2, McClane 2, Kuh 2, Ochoa 1, Johnson 1, Seifker 1, Smith 1, Gierlich 1
WCC - Davidson 2, Baleey 2, Mthembu 1, Hindson 1, Barone 1, Owens 1, Wilson 1

Saves: APU - Vlcek 9
WCC - Hoogerwerf 2

Corners: APU - Toth 2, Hoffman 2
WCC - Chickanov 3, Mthembu 1

Cards: - none

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#4 Jess Hetherington: MF; 5' 9"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#4 Jess Hetherington
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: MF

Players Mentioned

#4 Jess Hetherington

Players Mentioned

#4 Jess Hetherington