Tradition of Excellence: 2005 Men’s Soccer Reaches NCAA Title Match

In the absence of sports for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year, Gustavus sports information will provide a series of stories to take a look back at great moments in Golden Gustie athletics history, celebrating its proud tradition of excellence.

In the absence of sports for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year, Gustavus sports information will provide a series of stories to take a look back at great moments in Golden Gustie athletics history, celebrating its proud tradition of excellence.

November 25, 2005

Men’s Soccer Advances to National Championship Final With 2-1 Win Over Whitworth

By Tim Kennedy, Gustavus Sports Information Director

The Gustavus men’s soccer team advanced to the NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Championship Match against defending national champion Messiah with a 2-1 win over Whitworth College. The national championship match will take place at 4 p.m. (CST) Saturday afternoon in Greensboro, N.C.

Sophomore Jeffrey Johnson (Tonka Bay, Minn.) scored the game-winner with 15 minutes to play in regulation.

The Gusties scored first with junior Alex Groth (Waupaca, Wis.) redirecting a shot past Whitworth keeper Scott Bostock in the 11th minute. Senior central defender Jordan Iblings (Plymouth, Minn.) was credited with an assist after launching an indirect free kick in Groth’s direction.

Whitworth knotted the score late in the first half with a goal by junior Adam Loeffler.

Gustavus moves on to face defending national champion Messiah (Pa.) in the national championship match. The Gusties are the first MIAC men’s soccer team to advance to the national championship match. The championship match will be video streamed live on NCAASports.com. Click here to access the video stream. NOTE: To view the feed from the NCAASports.com site, a high-speed internet (DSL/Cable) connection is required.
The match will also be broadcast through the Gustavus athletics website. Gustavus sports information director Tim Kennedy will handle the play-by-play duties beginning at approximately 3:45 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Click here to access the Gustavus broadcast page.

Box Score

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Previous “Tradition of Excellence” stories:

1987 Men’s Basketball Wins MIAC Playoffs

1985 Gymnastics Wins Division III National Championship

2009 Men’s Hockey Advances to NCAA Title Game

2015 Volleyball Wins 27 Straight

1971 Men’s Tennis Marks Coach Wilkinson’s First MIAC Title

Harren Captures 2005 NCAA Cross Country Title

1927 Baseball Claims First MIAC Championship

Women’s Hoops Upsets Host, Advances to 2018 NCAA Sweet 16