Omaha, NE – The #3-seeded University of Great Falls Argonauts scored a hard fought 1-0 victory today over Frontier Conference rival Westminster College at Tranquility Park in the semifinal round of the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference-Dakota Athletic Conference-Frontier Conference Independent Men’s Soccer Tournament. The Argos improve to 15-4-0 on the season as they knock off the Griffins for the second time in three meetings this season. They move on to face the host Bellevue Bruins, seeded #1, for the tournament championship and an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament. Bellevue advanced when they defeated the Jamestown Jimmies 5-0 in the tournament’s other semifinal.

“We’re elated to be playing another day and for this tournament championship and for the right to go to nationals,” said third-year head coach Tim Brooks. “We overcame some adversity and a tough Westminster team today. Post-season play is all about surviving to play another day and that’s what we accomplished today.”

Senior defender Ivan Valencia (Compton, CA/Long Beach City College) provided the winning margin when he headed in a corner kick pass from fellow senior Santiago Bussato (Long Beach, CA/Long Beach City College) at the 42:34 mark of the first half.

“Ivan has been our leader all year and really throughout his career,” Brooks commented. “For him to score the game-winning goal in this game is something I’m sure he’ll never forget. I couldn’t be more proud for him.”

The Argos put five shots on goal during the contest. Westminster put four shots on goal, but all four found their way to sophomore goalkeeper Zach Johnson (Casper, WY/Kelly Walsh High School) who preserved the shutout.

It was a physical, intense match-up as the teams combined for 37 fouls and five yellow cards on the afternoon. The Argos were dealt a large blow when junior midfielder William Obregon (Managua, Nicaragua/Long Beach City College) was whistled for a red card at the 73:42 mark. Due to the infraction, he’ll be forced to sit out tomorrow’s championship game.

The tournament championship gets underway in Omaha at 4:00 CST. If the Argos can knock off the Bruins, their story-book season will continue with the team’s first-ever bid to the national tournament.