Box Score In a season with plenty of twists and turns, the Lancaster Bible men's soccer team ended on a high note on Saturday as they crushed Providence (Canada), 5-2 in the NCCAA National Tournament Third Place Game. The third place finish is a new program record as the best previous mark was a fifth place finish, which the Chargers had accomplished three times. (The third place finish also ties the LBC soccer record as the women finished third in 2010.)

On Saturday, the Chargers allowed a goal just 4:25 into the game, but rebounded 20 minutes later as Matt Nargi continued his strong freshman campaign with a goal on a pass from sophomore Nate Grimley. Just seven minutes later, Josiah Groff made it 2-1 when he scored his seventh goal of the season. Nargi added his seventh goal of the year less than two minutes later as the Chargers made it 3-1, which remained the score into halftime.

Any chance of a Providence comeback was put to rest just five minutes into the second half as Bradley Wilcox scored his fourth goal of the season and gave the Chargers a commanding, 4-1 lead. Providence got one goal back after the ball was deflected into the Chargers' net off an LBC player during a direct kick.

Freshman Ben Noel capped the scoring with just under four minutes to play as he notched his second goal of the season. Sophomore goalkeeper Stefan Smith made six saves as he recorded his sixth win of the season.

"We had a slow start, but got things organized and settled after about 15 minutes," Chargers Head Coach Tom Ardt said. "Matt Nargi came on and once again changed the game for us with two goals. Josiah had composure in the box and put in a really nice goal as well."

The victory puts a bow on a season that went from disappointing in mid-October to pretty successful in mid-November. After a disasterous NEAC weekend in New York in mid-October, the Chargers went 4-2-1 over their final seven games, with the tie being the NCCAA East Region Final that they won in penalty kicks over Cairn.

"I'm proud of our seniors and its been a joy to coach each one of them as they end their collegiate careers," Ardt said. "The finish at nationals and doubling our win total from last season is a great accomplishment. We thank God for a good season and for letting us play this great game. Our hope is to honor Him in how we play the game and how we handle ourselves as a team on and off the field."


Notes:
-Josiah Groff and Matt Nargi were named to the All-Tournament Team for their stellar performances during the Chargers' three games. Nargi had three goals and an assist, while Groff had two goals.