ALBANY, Ga. - The Tigers are coming home.
No. 4-ranked Tyler (Texas) Junior College ended the No. 12 Marshalltown Community College men's soccer team's postseason run with a 3-0 victory over No. 9 Jefferson College (Mo.) in the pool play D finale at the NJCAA Division I National Championships Wednesday.
The Apaches (19-2-1), who defeated the Tigers 2-0 in pool play Monday, advance to the semifinals Friday.
The Tigers needed the fifth-seeded Vikings (14-7-1) to earn a two-goal differential regulation win over Tyler to stay afloat. A 2-0 victory for Jefferson would have forced a three-way tie and ensuing tie-breaker games, while a two-goal win for the Vikings involving scores from both squads would have sent MCC to the semifinals.
Leading the program to its first national tourney since 2007, MCC coach Rafael Martinez was named NJCAA Great Lakes District Coach of the Year. The Tigers finished the season with a record of 14-6-1.
Fact Box
NJCAA Division I Men's Soccer National Championship
At Albany, Ga.
Pool Play
Monday's Scores
Tyler (Texas) 2, Marshalltown CC 0
Monroe (N.Y.) 3, Oakton (Ill.) 0
Louisburg (N.C.) 4, Northwest (Wyo.) 0
Darton St. (Ga.) 3, Western Wyoming 1
Tuesday's Scores
Cincinnati St. (Ohio) 2, Northwest 0
Illinois Central 2, Oakton 0
W. Wyoming 1, W. Texas 0 (3-1 PK)
Marshalltown CC 2, Jefferson (Mo.) 0
Wednesday's Scores
Darton 3, Western Texas 0
Louisburg 3, Cincinnati St. 0
Monroe 2, Illinois Central 1
Tyler 3, Jefferson 0