Midwestern State Claims First National Title with 2-0 Win Over Rollins
- Jonathan Turner
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Midwestern State capped a historic postseason run with a 2-0 victory over Rollins on Sunday at Weidner Field, earning the program’s first NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer National Championship.
The Mustangs finished the season 19-3-3 and limited Rollins to just four shots, recording their fourth shutout of the tournament and 15th clean sheet overall. The championship also served as redemption for Midwestern State, which suffered a 2-1 loss to Rollins in the 2010 national semifinals.
Midwestern State controlled the opening half, setting an aggressive tempo early. Dereck Espinal opened the match with a shot in the fourth minute, while Parker Plaxco and Liam Pritchard generated additional chances. Rollins goalkeeper Kilian Vallant kept the match scoreless with several key saves, including stops on efforts from Alan Rivera and Liam Kervick, as the teams went into halftime tied 0-0.
The breakthrough came in the 56th minute when Sune Espevoll finished off a corner kick to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead. MSU continued to dictate play and apply pressure throughout the second half.
Liam Pritchard sealed the title in the 86th minute, converting a chance assisted by Espinal to extend the lead to 2-0. Goalkeeper Jake Morris preserved the clean sheet with a crucial save late in the match.
Pritchard was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2025 NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Championship after totaling one goal and four assists during the tournament.
Alan Rivera, Parker Plaxco, Davis Mays, Jaime Villagomez, and Morris were also selected to the All-Tournament Team.
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