The Park University men's soccer program had big implications on the line on Saturday against No. 17 William Penn University and came through with an overall team win 2-1 on senior day.
Park at 7-4-3 on the season and 5-3-3 in the Heart have clinched a No. 4 seed in the 2023 Heart Men's Soccer Conference Tournament, presented by WinWon Technologies. Since joining the Heart, the Pirates have made the conference tournament three of four seasons and will host a quarterfinal round for the first time since joining the Heart.
The Pirates did not hang the cleats up on the season after a rough start to conference play at 0-2-2 in September. The Pirates with a new group in 2023 has played much better team oriented soccer and the adjustments have been apparent. Their month of October was among the best in the Heart for Park at 5-1-1, including three game win streak to end the season against a very talented lineup of Central Methodist, (RV) Benedictine, and No. 17 William Penn.
The Pirates honored their seniors during a steady rain at Julian Field before the game and the what was to come undoubtedly will become a special memory for this group. The six seniors include,
Elias Eichhorn,
Jack Austin,
Andres Yost,
Wayde Roman,
Diego Granados, and
Lucas Holt.
Roman entered the contest with five game-winning goals in the last two seasons and it would turn into a big day for the senior from Cape Town, South Africa, as he added his sixth game-winning goal to his career total.
His first goal was a header off the pass from his teammate
Joao Kawasaki at 19:06 on the clock. Kawasaki has been a great addition to Park's squad and now has three assists on the season.
Park took more shots in the first half than William Penn at six to only four for the Statesmen. The 1-0 halftime lead held for Park, but the Statesmen were able to take more control in the second half with seven shots to four for Park.
Elias Eichhorn became the all-time saves leader on Wednesday against (RV) Benedictine College and now is up to 263 with two saves in his five-year career. Eichhorn is also tied for the career shutout record at 14.
Eichhorn and the Pirate defense fended well against the Statesmen offense and cleared out would be William Penn attacks.
It became that much more special when Roman took a ball on the far side of the field from Marcos Fernardes at 70:23. Roman got the defender to bite on a fake and created space for a left footed strike that hit the top left corner for a 2-0 lead.
Roman now has six goals to go along with his six assists in his senior campaign.
William Penn's Miguel Menendez did not immediately responded with an unassisted goal at 72:24 to cut the lead 2-1.
Once again the defense for Park rallied together behind their seniors and held on for the 2-1 win.
No. 4 Park will is set to host No. 5 Benedictine College on Julian Field Friday, November 3 at 6pm in the Heart Conference Tournament.
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