Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

In dramatic fashion Iowa Western outlasts Tyler in PKs in DI men's soccer final


CHAMPIONSHIP HOME - WATCH NJCAA TV REPLAY

Iowa Western goalkeeper Will Lukowski stopped three Tyler (Texas) penalty kick attempts to win an overtime shootout 3-1 Saturday night to claim the 2013 NJCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship on the Apaches’ home field at the Pat Hartley Soccer Complex.

The Reivers and Apaches battled to a 1-1 tie in regulation time and the score remained the same after two golden-goal overtime periods, which forced the game into PK’s.

Iowa Western’s first two attempts found the back of the net while Tyler’s missed its first two thanks to Lukowski. Jose Navarro then made it three in a row for Iowa Western. Tyler’s Martin Agredo gave the Apaches a fighting chance by getting his shot past Lukowski to make it 3-1 followed by a save by Apache keeper Leopold Castillo.

In order to stay alive, Tyler needed to connect on its next shot. Lukowski was again able to stop the attempt, which secured IWCC’s first national title in men’s soccer.

Tyler led 1-0 after the first 45 minutes of play thanks to a goal from the foot of Atsou Ayah. The goal was just the sixth against Iowa Western all season. Tournament MVP Falzo Alihodzic (#22 right) then knocked in a goal with 26 minutes left in regulation to even the score at 1-1.

The Apaches appeared to have the momentum down the stretch as the Reivers were forced to play the final 14 minutes of regulation, as well as two overtime periods, down one man as Matthieu Braem was issued his second yellow card late in the second half.

Despite having an 11-to-10 man advantage, Tyler was unable to capitalize. Their best opportunity to reclaim the lead came with six minutes to play in regulation when Elias Hatungimana’s shot hit the cross bar.