Tweet #theGAC  BETHANY, Okla. – In a rematch of last season’s title match, top-seeded Southern Nazarene defeated second-seeded Rogers State, 3-1, on Sunday, from the Wanda Rhodes Soccer Complex, to win the GAC/MIAA Men’s Soccer Championship for the second-straight year. The Crimson Storm join Ouachita Baptist, 2017-18, and the Hillcats, 2019-Spring 2021, as the third GAC/MIAA program to win back-to-back conference titles.

The Crimson Storm (14-4-2), scored twice in the opening 20 minutes to seize control of the contest. GAC Offensive Player of the Year Unaiz Shajani scored his league-leading 13th goal of the season with assists by Miguel Torrecillas and Bruno Ferreira in the 13th minute of play. Five minutes later, Ferreira found the back of the net for his 11th tally of the season.

Rogers State (12-6-2) cut the deficit in half when George Robinson came up with his ninth goal of the season. He headed home a cross from Luke Morgan. Southern Nazarene, however, re-established its two-goal margin when Orlando Castro took advantage of a Hillcat turnover inside their own 18-yard box and scored his fourth goal of the season.

Following a first half that featured 17 combined shots - 12 by Rogers State and five from Southern Nazarene - the two defenses clamped down and allowed a combined eight shots. Andrej Krivokapic made four saves in net for the Crimson Storm.

With the goal and assist, Ferreira moved into sole possession of the league's lead in points with 33 - 11 goals, 11 assists. He and Shajani entered the day tied with 30 points apiece. The 18th-minute goal became his sixth game-winning goal of the season.

Alvaro Sanchez earned Tournament MVP honors. Shajani, Krivokapic, Daniel Trojman and Juan Rodarte claimed All-Tournament honors. Robinson, Morgan and Grant Cain represented the Hillcats.

Fort Hays State’s Tadhg Walsh and Agustin Ayala plus Northeastern State’s Davi Dornelles and Javier Solis rounded out the 12-member team.

Southern Nazarene learns its opponent and destination for the NCAA Division II Super Region #3 Championships at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. The selection show stream on NCAA.com. Rogers State entered the tournament ranked 11th in the region rankings and now hopes for an at-large bid.