WICHITA, Kan. — Despite some new faces and a new format for qualifying, the Newman men's soccer team has reached the Heartland Conference postseason for the third consecutive year, this time one of six to play for the league's automatic bid this week.
TOURNAMENT PRIMER
For the first time in the Heartland Conference's history, it will have six teams squaring off for its men's soccer postseason championship. This turn of events came when four Lone Star Conference teams—Midwestern State, West Texas A&M, Eastern New Mexico and Texas-Permian Basin—joined the league as affiliate members, expanding the conference to 12 teams. Newman hosts one of two quarterfinals, with those two winners converging on Wichita Falls, Texas this weekend for the semifinals and final.
The Jets (10-5-3, 7-5-2, 23 pts Heartland) earned the fourth seed, and will take on fifth-seeded Rogers State (9-7-2, 7-5-2, 23 pts Heartland)
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Tuesday, November 1
Quarterfinals
No. 5 Rogers State at No. 4 Newman, 7 p.m.
No. 6 Eastern New Mexico at No. 3 West Texas A&M, 7 p.m.
Friday, November 4
Semifinals
ENMU/WTAMU winner vs. No. 2 St. Edward's, 5 p.m.
RSU/NU winner vs. No. 1 Midwestern State, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 6
Final
Semifinal winners, 1 p.m.
SCOUTING NEWMAN
The Jets held on to their No. 4 seed by the slimmest of margins, not allowing a second goal to RSU in the two teams' regular-season finale on Saturday, a 1-0 Hillcat win at Wilkins Field. That followed a tough loss at top seed Midwestern State last Thursday. Newman posted a three-game winning streak entering the final weekend of the season.
Leaders
Carlos Rubio Garcia-18 GP, 17 GS, 5g, 4a, 14 pts, 37 shots, 20 SOG, 1 GWG
Luca Anelli-18 GP, 17 GS, 3g, 3a, 9 pts, 27 shots, 15 SOG, 1 GWG
Tommy Fiszel-18 GP, 17 GS, 3g, 1a, 7 pts, 20 shots, 8 SOG, 2 GWG
Jamie Barkway-17 GP, 14 GS, 2g, 1a, 5 pts, 12 shots, 8 SOG
Blake Andrews-12 GP, 12 GS, 1139:03 min., 14 GA, 1.11 GAA, 42 saves, 4 shutouts
SCOUTING THE HILLCATS
Rogers State did just about all it could do to catch the Jets, winning both games last weekend, starting with a 2-1 victory over Oklahoma Christian, and finishing up with the 1-0 win over Newman on Saturday. That was enough to tie the Jets in the standings, but not enough to win the tiebreaker and get to host Tuesday's game, which will be the first postseason game for a Rogers State team since becoming a full NCAA member this summer.
Leaders
Jake Simpson- 18 GP, 7g, 1a, 15 pts, 55 shots, 28 SOG, 3 GWG
Kevin Kwarteng- 14 GP, 5g, 2a, 12 pts, 33 shots, 18 SOG, 1 GWG
Niall Smith- 17 GP, 3g, 6a, 12 pts, 50 shots, 22 SOG, 2 GWG
Chris Sowder- 18 GP, 4g, 8 pts, 21 shots, 9 SOG, 2 GWG
Cody Gammill- 17 GP, 17 GS, 1539:25 min., 20 GA, 1.17 GAA, 69 saves, 4 shutouts
COVERAGE
Tuesday's game will feature live video and live statistics, available at www.newmanjets.com.
