It’s almost the midway point of October and fewer NCAA Division II soccer teams find themselves still contending for conference titles as the best teams separate from the rest. Alderson Broaddus is one of those teams that still has hope, sitting in second in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
Simon Fraser is hoping to emerge as the best in the Great Northwest and West Alabama is in the heart of the title chase in the Gulf South. Meanwhile, Dallas Baptist and Charleston are both still in contention for their respective conference titles. Read more about it below.
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Battlers in hunt for conference title
Alderson Broaddus came up short in its bid to take possession of first place, falling 1-0 to Cedarville Friday, and has lost its last two games overall.
But the BR-128 Battlers (8-3-1 overall, 5-2 Great Midwest Athletic Conference) can still win the championship with a little help and a strong finish to the season. Deshawn Parker has been key to Alderson Broaddus’ success, scoring five goals, while Alec Andall has come through with four goals. The Battlers are balanced offensively as three other players have scored at least two goals. Getting back on track offensively is key for Alderson Broaddus, which has been held scoreless in its last two games.
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Clan still in contention for GNAC crown
Simon Fraser is unbeaten in its last five games, winning three times, and it’s hanging around in the chase for the Great Northwest Athletic Conference soccer championship. The BR-36 Clan, who is 4-2-4 overall and 3-1-3 in the conference, will get a shot to make a statement Thursday when it plays first-place Seattle Pacific. The Clan has already beaten the Falcons once this year, winning 1-0 on Oct. 3. Defense will be key. Simon Fraser has allowed just one goal in its last five and has given up only eight all season. Brandon Watson has been key to that success, making 28 saves and recording five shutouts.
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Tigers have eyes on league championship
West Alabama is only 5-5-2 overall but it is 4-1-1 in the Gulf South Conference, good enough for second place. The BR-20 Tigers are still very much alive in the title chase, especially when they will close out the regular season with a game against first-place Alabama-Huntsville. West Alabama has won five of its last six and is led offensively by Alex Brown, who has come through with six goals. Jean-Baptiste Meyniel has tallied four goals. The Tigers have scored 18 goals in all and will need to be on point offensively down the stretch to stay in contention for the title.
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Patriots hanging around in Heartland Conference race
Dallas Baptist had its three-game win streak snapped by Newman Thursday, falling to 2-1 in league play. But the BR-175 Patriots still have a shot to earn at least a share of the conference championship if it can take care of business against first-place St. Edward’s on Wednesday. The crucial soccer game will kick off a stretch of three consecutive road games. The Patriots are 3-3-1 on the road this season. At 5-5-1, Dallas Baptist has already won one more game than it won all of last year. The Patriots don’t feature a high-powered offense but Riley Alvey has enjoyed a solid year, scoring seven goals and dishing out two assists.
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Golden Eagles in position to win Mountain East
Charleston will go into the week with an opportunity to gain the upper hand in the battle for the Mountain East Conference soccer title. The BR-4 Golden Eagles, winners of three in a row, battle first-place Urbana Wednesday in a game that will go a long way in deciding the conference champion. Charleston already beat the Blue Knights once this season, winning 4-1 on Sept. 8. The Golden Eagles’ defense has been stellar lately as their last three wins have all come by shutout. Fabian Veit has recorded six shutouts on the year and has tallied 12 saves as well. Charleston has given up only four goals all season.
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