UU men selected for NCAA tournament

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – For the second straight year, Urbana University has been selected as one of 38 schools to compete for the NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Championship, as announced Monday night during the 2016 NCAA live selection show.

Additionally, the 15th-ranked Blue Knights (13-4-1) learned they will host the first-ever NCAA postseason contest on Urbana University’s campus on Sunday, Nov. 13 against Mercyhurst. Kickoff has been announced for 2 p.m.

Urbana University men’s soccer came up short in the quest for the school’s first Mountain East Conference title in any sport after a 2-1 loss Sunday against top-seeded Charleston at Schoenbaum Stadium.

UU outshot Charleston 10-9 but the host Golden Eagles converted two goals to clinch their eighth straight league championship.

UC grabbed a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute, but UU was able to score an equalizer 10 minutes later. Lars Blenckers slotted the goal with his left foot near the six after receiving a header pass from Tom Walbeoff.

The Golden Eagles were able to break the stalemate later on in the first half and took a 2-1 lead into the half-time break.

UU played well enough to win, controlling possession and causing pressure in the Charleston third of the pitch.

Lewis Dunne and Ebenezer Agyeman each had well-struck shots on goal in the second half but the UC goalkeeper Paulo Pita made great stops, and he finished with four saves over the final 45 minutes.

Nathan Jones had four saves between the pipes for UU, including a few diving stops in the second period to prevent UC from putting the match out of reach.

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