Pair of Quick Strikes Gives CIU Men's Soccer Tournament Championship

COLUMBIA, S.C. - No. 2 seed Columbia International overcame an early deficit with a pair of quick strikes to defeat fourth-seeded Union 2-1 to capture the 2022 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Soccer Tournament championship on Friday.

With the win, Columbia International receives an automatic berth to the NAIA National Championship Tournament. The Rams join the Buffaloes of Milligan, who earned a berth to nationals by winning the regular-season title.

Union grabbed the early advantage when Simon Salsi scored in the 13th minute. It remained 1-0 until the 63rd minute when Gabriel Rokov netted the equalizer. Less than two minutes later, Columbia International found the game-winner when Praise Kabwe found the back of the net.

The Bulldogs tried to rally but could not get another shot on frame as the Rams won their first-ever tournament championship.

Columbia International's Sohya Yamamoto earned Tournament MVP honors. Joining him on the All-Tournament Team are Rokov, Kabwe, and Fabio Bender of Columbia International; Salsi, Ethan Whyte, and Christopher Samuels of Union; Jonah Lewis and Jarimyah Cook of Tennessee Wesleyan; and Ludvig Wille and Simen Haraldstad of Milligan.

The NAIA National Tournament field will be announced on Monday.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, Nov. 4 (at the higher seed's home site)
Game 1 - No. 1 Milligan (10-2-6) tied No. 8 Truett McConnell (9-5-4), 0-0 (2OT) (Milligan advanced on PKs, 3-1)
Game 2 - No. 4 Union (9-4-5) def. No. 5 Reinhardt (9-5-4), 2-1
Game 3 - No. 2 Columbia International (11-3-3)  def. No. 7 St. Andrews (8-6-3), 3-2
Game 4 - No. 3 Tennessee Wesleyan (11-2-5) def. No. 6 Bryan (7-8-3), 4-0

Tuesday, Nov. 8 (at the higher seed's home site)
Game 5 - No. 4 Union (9-4-6) tied No. 1 Milligan (10-2-7), 0-0 (2OT) (Union advanced on PKs, 5-4)
Game 6 - No. 3 Tennessee Wesleyan (11-2-6) at No. 2 Columbia International (11-3-4), 2-2 (2OT) (CIU advanced on PKs, 5-4)

Friday, Nov. 11 (at the higher seed's home site)
Game 7 - Championship Game - No. 2 Columbia International (12-3-4) def. No. 4 Union (9-5-6), 2-1