MARTINSVILLE, Virginia - Tyler Junior College continued its quest to repeat as national soccer champions with a convincing 4-1 win over Schoolcraft (Michigan) on Wednesday at Axton Smith River Soccer Complex.
The win moves the Apaches (18-3) into the semifinals of the NJCAA Division I Men's National Soccer Tournament. TJC, the No. 2 seed, will face No. 3 seed Eastern Florida State on Friday. The match is slated to begin at 6 p.m. (CST).
The other semifinal has No. 1 Louisburg (North Carolina) taking on No. 4 Pima (Arizona) at 3:30 p.m. Friday.
The semifinal winners advance to the national championship at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Against the Ocelots of Schoolcraft, the Apaches jumped out to a 2-0 halftime lead on goals from Shaun Stocker (freshman, center-midfield, Norfolk, England) and Yazeed Matthews (freshman, forward, Johannesburg, South Africa). Brahan Gamarra, a sophomore from Atlanta, Georgia, assisted on both goals.
TJC made it 3-0 at the 56th minute when Stocker scored again off an assist from Ali Musse, a freshman from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Schoolcraft, located in Livonia, Michigan, got on the board when Jon Quintana scored in the 74th minute.
TJC's Gamarra topped off the scoring, netting a goal in the 81st minute.
The Ocelots end their season at 15-4-3.
Jose Santos, a sophomore from New Orleans, played the first 56 minutes as goalkeeper and did not allow a goal. Christoph Schneuwly, a freshman from Schmitten, Switzerland, took care of the final 34 minutes.
NJCAA Men's Division I
National Soccer Tournament
Axton Smith River Soccer Complex
Martinsville, Virginia
Hosted by Patrick Henry Community College
All Times CST
Monday's Matches
Game 1 - Louisburg (North Carolina) 3, Massasoit (Massachusetts) 1
Game 2 - Tyler Junior College 1, Monroe (New York) 0
Game 3 - Eastern Florida State 5, Morton (Illinois) 1
Game 4 - Hill (Texas) 3, Pima (Arizona) 2
Tuesday's Matches
Game 5 - Iowa Western 1, Massasoit (Massachusetts) 0
Game 6 - ASA (New York) 2, Schoolcraft (Michigan) 0
Game 7 - Jefferson (Missouri) 2, Morton (Illinois) 1
Game 8 - Lewis & Clark (Illinois) 2, Hill (Texas) 1
Wednesday's Matches
Game 9 - Louisburg (North Carolina) 2, Iowa Western 0
Game 10 - Tyler Junior College 4, Schoolcraft (Michigan) 1
Game 11 - Eastern Florida State 2, Jefferson (Missouri) 0
Game 12 - Pima (Arizona) 4, Lewis & Clark (Illinois) 1
Friday's Matches
Semifinals
Game 13 - Louisburg (North Carolina) vs. Pima (Arizona), 3:30 p.m.
Game 14 - Tyler vs. Eastern Florida State, 6 p.m.
Saturday's Matches
Game 15 - National Final, 2 p.m.