MATTHEWS, N.C., - The No. 1 ranked Franklin Pierce men's soccer team made NCAA DII history Saturday, capturing the third national championship in school history and becoming just the third team ever to repeat as the nation's best. The Ravens defeated CSU-Pueblo in the final for the second consecutive year, 4-0, to capture the crown.
It had been more than two decades since the NCAA saw a repeat champion in DII. Southern Connecticut State was the last to accomplish the feat (before joining the NE10) in 1998 and 1999. Seattle Pacific won back-to-back titles in 1985 and 1986.
FPU's senior goaltender Karl Vernet picked up the win with a career high seven saves, including one at point blank range in the match's opening minutes. Senior Thomas Esperoe was named the NCAA Championship's most outstanding defensive player after leading the Ravens to four shutouts in five matches, included the final. Antonio Lima was named the most outstnaidng on offense after scoring the game-winning goal in the semifinal and providing insurance with the second goal of the championship.
Saturday's matchup was deadlocked at the half, but Franklin Pierce continued to apply pressure and create chances, eventually breaking through with a great run to the outside fewer than five minutes into the second half. A centering feed found Aaron Sanchez Sanchez for the first goal of the game. Lima would score 20 minutes later and then the flood gates opened.
Caleb Williams had the dagger on an unassited deep strike in the 77th minute to make it 3-0. Reserve Pedro Branco added the final goal in the 86th minute.
The win ensures the NE10 will have a team national champion for the fourth straight season and nine of the last 10 years. At a 4-0 decision, FPU title also claims the largest margin of victory in NCAA DII men's soccer history, equaling Pfeiffer's 4-0 win over Cal Poly Pamona in 2015 and Florida Tech's 5-1 win over Sonoma State in 1992.
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 12 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
