LIVONIA, Mich. – The No. 17 ranked Indiana Tech men's soccer team played No. 14 ranked Madonna University in the two-vs-one seeded matchup for the WHAC Tournament Championship on Wednesday afternoon, where the Warriors would dominate their way to an astonishing seventh straight WHAC Tournament Title.
Tech would ride a four-game win streak into the title game, where they had been outscoring opponents 15-2 during that span. Tech would continue that momentum against the top seeded Crusaders, controlling the game from start to finish. The Warriors would register three shots on target in the opening 22 minutes of play, threatening to score the first goal, but Madonna's keeper would save all three to keep the game even. The game would change in the 28
th minute when
Filip Maksimovic subbed into the game. Less than 30 seconds later, the Serbian would score an incredible bicycle kick in his first touch of the game to put the Warriors on top. Maksimovic has been on an impressive run of form lately, scoring in four straight matches including the 87
th minute game winner in the WHAC Semifinal against No. 25 ranked UNOH.
Andreas Michael would pick up the assist on the goal as the Warriors led 1-0 at halftime. Tech would continue to keep the pressure up in the second half with eight total shots in the period. The biggest one came in the 60
th minute when
Xambos Statiotis scored his first goal of the season on a header following a set piece crossed in by
Emerson Nieto. The Warriors, up 2-0 with 30 minutes to play, didn't hold back. They would calmly close out the game, controlling possession and continuing to attack in waves. The Warriors put together a complete performance all the way from the first whistle to the last, completing a seventh straight perfect run through the conference title, finishing with another trophy. It marks the seventh straight WHAC Tournament Title for the Warriors to go along with three WHAC Regular Season Titles in that span, as they have now been the premier force in the conference since 2019.
Cuba Grant would make four saves in goal for the Warriors, picking up his sixth shutout and his 16
th win of the season.
The Warriors improve to 16-4-1 overall after their WHAC Tournament Championship game victory and will now await their NAIA National Tournament fate. The opening round is set for November 20
th-22
nd with the selection show going live on Friday, November 14
th at 5pm (CT)/6pm (ET).
- TECH -