NAIA Men’s Soccer Opening Round Preview

CHICKASHA, Okla. -- The Bellevue University men's soccer team travels to Chickasha, Okla. for the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round match. The Bruins will take on University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m.

Bellevue (11-3-4/3-0-1 NSAA) is making their third straight trip to the National Tournament after claiming the North Star's automatic bid with a grueling 2-1 victory over host Jamestown in the NSAA Tournament Final. The Bruins are receiving votes in the latest NAIA Men's Soccer Coaches' Poll and are unbeaten (1-0-3) against ranked opposition this season.

USAO (19-2-0/9-0-0 Sooner) is making their seventh straight trip to the National Tournament. Last weekend the Drovers defeated Southwestern Christian 3-1 in the Sooner Athletic Conference Final to claim the Sooner's automatic bid to the National Tournament. USAO is the 6^th-ranked team in the latest NAIA Men's Soccer Coaches Poll and haven't lost since a 2-1 setback at Tabor College on Sept. 16, a string of 15-straight victories.

The Series:

Bellevue and USAO have met just once throughout their program histories. USAO won that match, 2-0, at home on Sept. 28, 2001.

NSAA Final Recap:

Bellevue got a first half goal from Rob Smith to take a 1-0 lead and Smith drew a penalty kick in the 88^th minute to set up Tobias Maertzke's game-winner.

For the full recap: http://bubruins.com/sports/msoc/2015-16/releases/20151108s81uzl

Sooner Final Recap:

Alex Breadman scored twice, including the game-winner, and Liam Madden put the game out of reach with a second half strike for the Drovers in their 3-1 victory.

For the full recap: https://usao.edu/sports/mens-soccer/news/men-collect-5th-sac-title

Bellevue Game Notes:

• Bellevue is unbeaten (1-0-3) against opponents that are either nationally ranked or receiving votes
• In four matches against ranked opposition, Bellevue has scored four goals and conceded three
• Bellevue is making their third straight National Tournament appearance and fifth overall ('08, '09, '13, '14, '15)
• Bellevue is 2-2-0 all-time in NAIA Opening Round matches
• Bellevue is 2-4-0 all-time in the NAIA National Tournament
• Bellevue allowed just two goals in six conference matches - including post-season - on the season
• Bellevue posted their 19^th winning seasons in 21 years since the program began in 1995
• Bellevue's roster boasts players from six contries (Colombia, England, Germany, Scotland, Senegal, United States)
• With Bellevue's NSAA Championship Game victory, head coach Matt Briggs now has 100 career coaching victories to rank first in program history
• Tobias Maertzke ranks 13^th nationally in Game-Winning Goals (5)
• Ben Martin ranks 38^th nationally in Goals Against Average (1.02)
• Rob Smith ranks 42^nd nationally in Assists per Game (0.47)

USAO Game Notes:

• USAO is on a 15-match win streak where they have out-scored their opposition 43-18
• USAO is making their 7^th-straight appearance in the NAIA National Tournament
• USAO has a 6-6-0 record all-time in the NAIA National Tournament
• USAO posted their 16^th winning season in 17 years of competition under their only head coach, Jimmy Hampton
• USAO's roster boasts players from nine countries (Brazil, Canada, England, Ghana, Hong Kong, Kenya, Nigeria, Scotland, United States)
• Liam Madden ranks 1^st nationally in Assists (18)
• Stephen Owusu ranks 3^rd nationally in Assists (17)
• Liam Madden ranks 5^th nationally in Assists per Game (0.90)
• Stephen Owusu ranks 8^th in Assists per Game (0.81)
• Liam Madden ranks 10^th nationally in Points (44)
• Liam Madden ranks 13^th nationally in Game-Winning Goals (5)
• Alex Breadman ranks 13^th nationally in Game-Winning Goals (5)
• Liam Madden ranks 16^th nationally in Points per Game (2.20)
• Liam Madden ranks 38^th nationally in Goals (13)

Players to Watch:

Bellevue –

• Sr. MF Tobias Maertzke (9 G, 4 A, 22 P)
• Sr. D Alan Carr (2 G, 1 A, 5 P, NSAA Defensive Player of the Year)
• Sr. D Jamie Henderson (3 G, 3 A, 9 P)
• Jr. GK Ben Martin (11-3-4, 1.02 GAA, .774 Save Pct., 6 Shutouts)
• Jr. D Lee Woolmore (0 G, 2 A, 2 P)
• So. MF Rob Smith (6 G, 7 A, 19 P)
• So. MF Daniel Coupland (4 G, 1 A, 7 P)

USAO –

• Sr. F Stephen Owusu (6 G, 17 A, 29 P, SAC Player of the Year)
• Sr. MF Liam Madden (13 G, 18 A, 44 P, SAC Offensive Player of the Year)
• Sr. MF Niall Burley (3 G, 3 A, 9 P)
• Sr. D Kyle Maxwell (4 G, 1 A, 9 P)
• Fr. F Alex Breadman (12 G, 1 A, 25 P, SAC Freshman & Newcomer of the Year)

What's next?:

The winner of this match advances to face the winner of Lindenwood-Belleville vs. Northwestern Ohio. That will take place at the National Tournament Final Site in Delray Beach, Fla. where they will be one of 16 teams vying for the National Championship.

Bellevue's Opening Round History:

• Nov. 22, 2008 | at Bethel (Tenn.), L, 0-3
• Nov. 21, 2009 | at Bethel (Ind.), W, 2-0
• Nov. 23, 2013 | at Grand View, L, 3-4
• Nov. 22, 2014 | at Hastings, W, 2-0
• Nov. 21, 2015 | at USAO, 6 p.m.