Men's Soccer Season Review
With only returning four starters from a successful 2014 season and losing four All-Region and All-Conference players including one All-American the Eagles did not have high expectations going in to the 2015 season. Despite the lowered expectations and a very young team with 16 of the 17 players being freshmen or sophomores the Eagles had a record setting start to their season as they won their first seven matches which included two wins over the NAIA's top scoring team at the time, Lincoln Christian University, and a win over the defending region champions Providence University College. The winning streak was ended with an overtime loss to the Midwest Christian College Conference (MCCC) regular season and Midwest Region Champions #6 Ozark Christian College.
The Eagles rebounded from the loss with another four game winning streak which included victories over defending MCCC and South Region champions Barclay College and #8 ranked and defending Midwest Region Champions Manhattan Christian College on the road. Both wins were the first time Faith had beaten either team in over a decade. The wins helped the Eagles secure the #2 seed in the MCCC tournament.
The Eagles suffered their second loss of the season when they hosted NCAA Division III and region rival #9 North Central University late in the regular season falling 1-0 in a very even match. Faith finished the regular season with a new school record of 12 wins and only 2 losses.
The Eagles started post-season play in the MCCC tournament in Kansas City, MO where they matched up first against host Calvary Bible College. They were able to put Calvary away early with a 5-0 victory and focus their attention on Manhattan Christian College in the semifinals. The match was very tight throughout but a key injury to conference MVP Chase Clark managed to slow the Eagles attack and limit their ability to stretch the Manhattan defense as the game remained scoreless through regulation and both overtime periods. Manhattan was able to advance to the finals after winning the shootout 4-3. The Eagles faced Barclay College in the third place match and easily won the 3-1, giving up the only goal very late after the result of the match was no longer in question.
The Eagles then moved on to their next challenge which was a region championship match up against a much improved and very determined Providence University College with the winner advancing to the NCCAA National Tournament in Kissimmee, FL. The Eagles went down early but managed to respond well by getting the equalizer just before halftime and the go ahead goal early in the second half. Faith was not able to maintain the lead as they gave up late penalty kick which sent the game in to sudden death overtime. The Eagles were able to get the game winner off a corner kick early in the first overtime and earn their first trip to the National Tournament since 2003.
The Eagles were able to finish sixth in the nation after falling to #3 Dallas Christian 4-0, defeating 2015 ACCA National Champions Hillsdale Baptist 2-0, and losing in overtime to Manhattan Christian 1-0. Goalkeeper David Levy was named to the All-Tournament team and subsequently became an NCCAA DII All-American after a stellar tournament and leading the nation in most shutouts and lowest goals against average. Chase Clark and Joseph Frerichs were named to the ACCA All-American team after record-setting performances on the field. Clark moved into fourth place all-time for points in a season, ninth for goals, and second for assists. Frerichs moved into a tie for second all-time in assists during a season. Other school records that fell in 2015 were fewest goals allowed, lowest goals against average, highest winning percentage , fewest losses, most shutouts, most consecutive wins to start a season and Cole Glanzer moved into 11th all-time for assists in a season.
"This was the most coachable group I have ever worked with. They learned and grew throughout the season which is what helped put them in position to be as successful as they were," said Coach Backous. Faith ended the year 16-4-1 and with an extremely young team they look forward to more success in the future.