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TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The No. 14-ranked Northeastern State men's soccer team is set to compete in the 2012 MIAA Men's Soccer Championship. The second-seeded RiverHawks (11-3-3, 7-1-2 MIAA) will meet third seed Truman State (10-5-1, 7-2-1) in the semifinals at 4 p.m. Nov. 1 in Olathe, Kan.
 
The tournament is being contested at the Olathe District Activities Center. General admission is $5, and children 6 and under will be admitted free of charge.
 
The winner of the match will move onto the championship against either No. 1 Lindenwood (13-2-3, 8-0-2) or No. 4 Fort Hays State (11-4-2, 7-2-1) at 11 a.m. Nov. 3. NSU picked up a 4-0 victory over the Bulldogs in Tahlequah earlier this season, and the RiverHawks own a 0-1-2 mark against the Lions and Tigers this year.
 
Northeastern State is currently unbeaten in its last seven matches (4-0-3), and the team is outscoring its opponents 23-5 in that span.
 
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Truman State enters the 2012 MIAA Championship winners of five of its last six matches, including a 2-1 triumph at home against then-No. 17 Fort Hays State. Other notable results include a 2-2 draw with Lindenwood and a 4-0 loss to Northeastern State. The Bulldogs are currently 10-5-1 overall and they ended the regular season with a 7-2-1 conference mark. TSU has outscored its opponents 38-26 this season, and the team is led in scoring by Andy Chapman (13g-5a=31p) and Charlie Backus (3g-14a=20p). Tony Luedecke (5g-0a=10p) is second on the team in goals. The leader in net is Drew Garrone (6-3-0, 1.66 GAA, .746 S%).
 
CLASH OF THE TITANS
The looming 2012 MIAA Championship semifinal match between Northeastern State and Truman State is sure to have fireworks, most notably thanks to NSU senior midfielder Bo White and TSU senior forward Andy Chapman. The two are currently leading the league in scoring, as both have 13 goals and five assists for 31 points. Chapman has attempted 78 shots this season and owns three game-winning goals, while White also has three game-winners and leads the MIAA with 90 shots. The two prolific scorers rank in the top 20 nationally in goals scored and points.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Northeastern State traveled to Searcy, Ark., and posted a convincing 7-1 result over Harding University in the regular-season finale Oct. 26. Freshman forward Joel Mendoza picked up his first-career hat trick and was named the MIAA Men's Soccer Athlete of the Week for his efforts. Also scoring for the road side were senior midfielder Bo White (2), sophomore forward Juan Peralta and freshman forward Crosby Lee. Senior goalkeeper Jordan Ladbrooke (8-3-2) earned the victory in net for the RiverHawks.
 
RECORD-SETTING PACE
Northeastern State enters the 2012 MIAA Men's Soccer Championship with 46 goals scored and just 15 goals conceded this season. The RiverHawks are already sixth all-time in school history in total goals scored in a single season, and they are seven shy of tying for fifth (53 goals in 1996) on the list. NSU is also currently on pace to break the school record for lowest goals allowed in a season. The record is currently 22 set by the 1987 club.
 
MENDOZA WINS FIRST WEEKLY ACCOLADE
Joel Mendoza turned his first-collegiate hat trick into his first conference accolade, as the freshman forward was named the MIAA Men's Soccer Athlete of the Week Oct. 30. The Dallas, Texas, native began his week with a goal in NSU's 4-0 triumph over Ouachita Baptist. He then racked up three tallies, including the game-winning marker, on the road in a 7-1 victory over Harding. Northeastern State has secured a league-high four MIAA Men's Soccer Athlete of the Week honors. Others who have won the honor are senior goalkeeper Jordan Ladbrooke (Sept. 4), senior midfielder Bo White (Sept. 11) and sophomore forward Juan Peralta (Oct. 2).
 
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