Senior Chris Pinahs tries to win the ball in the air.
Senior Jon Astry leaps past a Messiah defender to play the ball.
Mike Butterworth blocks a ball with his leg.
Sophomore Jeffrey Johnson battles with a Messiah defender.
The Gustavus men’s soccer team pushed defending national champion Messiah (Pa.) to the limit in the NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Championship Final Saturday night in Greensboro, N.C., but could not come up with the win, falling 1-0 to the Falcons. The Gusties, who finish the season at 17-3-5, held Messiah to one goal for the first time during the tournament. Messiah picks up its fourth national title in six years and finishes with a record of 24-0-0.
Ryan Edwards recorded the only goal of the game in the 69th minute, off an assist by Brian Mohney. The Falcons outshot the Gusties, 7-6, and also had a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks. Junior keeper Dustin Shambach had a pair of saves for the Falcons, while Gustie keeper Tyler Garry (Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) registered four saves.
Gustavus seniors Jon Astry (Eden Prairie, Minn.), Jordan Iblings (Plymouth, Minn.) and Bobby Kroog (Bloomington, Minn.) were named to the All-Tournament Team. Messiah’s Kai Kasiguran was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament. Kasaguran scored a pair of goals in the national semifinal against Plattsburgh State (N.Y.) and helped keep Gustavus out of the net in the final. Messiah had four players selected to the team, followed by Gustavus with three. Semifinalists Whitworth and Plattsburgh State each had two representatives.
Box Score
2005 NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Tournament Team
Kai Kasiguran, Messiah, most outstanding player
Jonathan Astry, Gustavus Adolphus
Jonathan Carlson, Whitworth
Chris Classen, Messiah
Alex Deckert, Plattsburgh State
Jordan Iblings, Gustavus Adolphus
Bobby Kroog, Gustavus Adolphus
Patrick Lenehan, Messiah
Bryan Mohney, Messiah
Ali Seyedali, Whitworth
Jason Sousa, Plattsburgh State