Eagles Stand Alone as AAC Postseason Champions

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

Photo Courtesy of Milligan (Tenn.) Sports Information 

MILLIGAN, Tenn. – The Eagles and Buffaloes left it all out on the field in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship Final on Tuesday night, and after preventing top-seeded Milligan (Tenn.) from tying the score on multiple occasions in the final moments, No. 2 Reinhardt rushed the field in celebration after winning the postseason championship, 2-1.

The thrilling victory propelled the hometown team to 13-2 as it now turns its focus to the 62^nd Annual NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship.

"First, I would like to commend Coach Lilly, his staff and the players from Milligan on a great season," head coach Joey Johnson said. "They play the game the way it was intended to be played and there is mutual respect between our programs. MU is a worthy ambassador of our conference and I wish them the very best as they represent the AAC as well at the national tournament.

"For me, it is always about the players… To walk through this year of unprecedented challenges with this group of young men and witness the resilient spirit of our guys has been a privilege. Together, they have walked on this journey, and in the end, together they have made history this year on the field etching a new entry into our story as a program at RU. To be honest, the AAC Championship this year is truly a footnote in the bigger picture... As the character, perseverance, work ethic, grit, team-driven mentality and gratitude through perspective gained from walking through challenges beyond our control will surely form a strong foundation for LIFE as these young men step boldly forward. This is the best of what can be gained from a season like we have witnessed... I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to walk alongside these men this year and am happy for them.

"I would like to thank our coaching staff of Zack Schultze, Victor Profit and Mark Logan as well as our top man in the athletic training department, Kellen Shervington, as none of this would be possible without them. Thanks to Bill Popp, Jeffrey Pourchier, Mandy Cagle and all of our athletic department/media staff for their outstanding support of our student-athletes."

When the Eagles and Buffaloes get together on the soccer field, both squads know it's going to be a physical, close contest. Tonight was no different, as the visitors evened the season series at 1-1 following yet another one-goal difference between the programs (Milligan won, 1-0, back on Nov. 22, 2020).

Philip Frowis got his team on the board first in the 10^th minute off a nice pass from Badr Laklech. Reinhardt held its host scoreless until 35:36, where the AAC battle would remain tied at 1-1 through halftime and beyond.

The slugfest on the pitch saw a combined 29 fouls, with one that loomed large – a penalty in the box – that set Arthur Hugon up to be the hero.

Hugon would find the back of the net at 66:16 with the eventual championship-clinching tally.

The Eagle defense would hold onto the slimmest of margins the rest of the way, and Niko Tzevelekos (the AAC Championship MVP) stood tall in the goal until the very end with three saves.

Reinhardt was outshot, 10-5, but made the critical plays when it had to on both sides of the field to come out on top.

The club will find out its first opponent for the National Championship during the NAIA Men's Soccer Selection Show on Monday, April 19 at 1 p.m.

AAC All-Tournament Team
Niko Tzevelekos (Reinhardt) – MVP
Gus Fidler (Reinhardt)
Aaron Whitten (Reinhardt)
Arthur Hugon (Reinhardt)
Elies Sebbouh (Milligan)
Luke Bennett (Milligan)
Charlie Betts (Milligan)
Dave Neijenhuis (Tennessee Wesleyan)
Harry Baggaley (Tennessee Wesleyan)
Alessandro Benedetti (St. Andrews (N.C.))
Flavio Nardecchia (St. Andrews (N.C.))

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For more information on Reinhardt Men's Soccer, please click here.