Prescott Valley, AZ – After a scoreless first half, fourth-seeded Tyler (TX) used two second half goals to capture its sixth NJCAA DI Men's Soccer Championship in program history with a 2-0 victory over Schoolcraft (MI). The 2017 title is the second straight for the Apaches.
Tyler controlled the offensive tempo throughout the first half with an 8-4 shot advantage. The Apaches best strike in the first half came off the foot of Michael Boakye with a free kick on net with eight minutes to play in the first half, but Schoolcraft's Juan Gomez came up big in net.
The Ocelots picked up the pace of play to start the second half, but it was Tyler that eventually struck first as Carlton McKenzie buried a rebound shot in the 74th minute for the eventual game-winner. Mohammed Kamara tacked on an insurance goal in the 88th minute to secure another title for the Apaches.
Kamara's goal was the forward's sixth of the tournament. For his stellar performance throughout the tournament, Kamara was named Tournament MVP for the second consecutive year. Tyler Head Coach Steve Clements was named Coach of the Tournament.
- The Apaches six titles have all come in the span of the last nine years.
- Tyler has appeared in eight of the last nine DI men's soccer championship matches.
- The Apaches closed out the season on a 15 match winning streak, outscoring their opponents 53-6
- Schoolcraft, who was making their first-ever championship appearance, finished the season at 18-1-0, the best season in program history.
- Joining Kamara with tournament honors for Tyler were goalkeeper Robbie Johnson and McKenzie who were named to the All-Tournament Team.
- Schoolcraft placed two players on the All-Tournament in Michael Machila and Hakeem Sadler.
- Sadler joined Kamara with a prolific offensive tournament, scoring four goals for the Ocelots.
- Tyler capped its season at 23-2-0, giving Clements 458 wins in his career which ranks second among active coaches and fourth all time.
- In each of Tyler's last two championship seasons, the Apaches have handed their opponent their first loss of the season.
The dagger goal by the star Kamara! Tyler is back-to-back DI Soccer Champions! Also earning their sixth championship pic.twitter.com/0drWRYmlwk
— NJCAA TV (@NJCAATV) November 19, 2017
