For the first time in program history, Dalton State College’s men’s soccer team is headed to the semifinals of the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship.
The No. 1 ranked Roadrunners shut out Nebraska’s eighth-seeded Bellevue University in a 1-0 quarterfinals victory Thursday at the Wichita, Kansas’ Stryker Sports Complex.
Following a scoreless first half, Dalton State’s goal came 39 minutes and 27 seconds into the second half when senior centerback Juan Demichelis sent the ball soaring past Bellevue goalkeeper Taariq Gonga following a slight mis-kick.
Demichelis’ goal came from inside of the 18-yard box with an assist from sophomore forward Jip van den Essen.
Remaining undefeated with a 20-0-2 record, the Roadrunners’ battle against Bellevue’s Bruins marked their third quarterfinals appearance, but their first quarterfinals win.
Dalton State made it as far as the quarterfinals in last year’s championship tournament — also in Wichita, Kansas — losing to St. Thomas 6-5 in penalty kicks.
Bellevue, which ends its season 16-3-3, squared off against the Roadrunners after besting Louisiana State University in Shreveport 1-0 on Monday. Earlier that day, Dalton State defeated Spring Arbor University 1-0 on a swift kick by junior striker Jack Stainrod just 40 seconds into the round of 16 match.
The Roadrunners will remain in Wichita to take on the winner of Kansas’ MidAmerica Nazarene University and Kentucky’s University of the Cumberlands in the semifinal round on Saturday at 1 p.m. Central Standard Time. If successful Saturday, the Roadrunners will have the opportunity to take home their first NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship.