Story by Colin Likas, Purdue Northwest Athletics Contributor
Just because members of the Purdue Northwest men's soccer team are excited to be participating in the program's first-ever NCAA Division II national tournament match doesn't mean they're satisfied with reaching that stage.
While the 10th-seeded Pride (10-3-4) are focused upon defeating seventh-seeded Lewis (10-3-5) in Friday's first-round match between the teams, at Illinois-Springfield's Kiwanis Stadium, first-year coach Luke Dunn's athletes feel they could have a memorable tournament run in store.
"We're definitely not going there trying to win one game. We're trying to win the national tournament," said graduate student midfielder Ryan Moran (Perth, Western Australia/Jerudong International School) (Perth, Western Australia/Jerudong International School). "That's probably a bit of an out-there goal to have. But if we all believe we can do it, then what's really stopping us?"
No one could stop PNW from topping Saginaw Valley State in last Sunday's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament championship match. The Pride prevailed 1-0 behind a goal from senior forward Jacob Battista (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia/Dt Kevin's College (Viterbo University)) (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia/Viterbo University) and a three-save shutout from senior goalkeeper Eligh Williams (Gympie, Queensland, Australia/The Southport School) (Gympie, Queensland, Australia/Yavapai College).
"We played well and executed our game plan well, and did the things we needed to do in order to get the result," Dunn said. "It was exciting. … This is the first time I've won a conference tournament."
Senior defenseman Martin Murillo (Addison, Ill./Addison Trail) (Addison Trail, Ill./Addison Trail), who has helped PNW accumulate nine shutouts this season, has seen Pride men's soccer change significantly in his four seasons with the team.
"I feel like we've improved year by year," Murillo said. "Making history here at PNW, it's a big accomplishment that nobody has done in any other sport. Being the first one, and me being included in that, feels great."
Murillo said he quickly sought out his parents in the aftermath of Sunday's victory, wanting to thank them for helping him reach this plateau within college sports.
That occurred after Murillo, Moran and the other Pride athletes converged upon Dowling Park's turf for an initial celebration.
"As soon as that happened, I kind of shut off a little bit and put my head in my hands," Moran said. "It was probably one of the top moments of my life, being able to celebrate with a bunch of boys that have turned into your family."
With eight of PNW's 11 typical starters new to the program this season, Moran and Murillo — both returning athletes — initially weren't sure what to expect from the 2023 squad.
"I had hopes that we were going to make it far with this team," Murillo said. "It just came up in my mind that, 'Yeah, we can make history with this team.'"
"In the spring, I probably would've said it would've been quite a stretch to get to where we are now," Moran added. "The players that Luke brought in have been amazing and fit exactly what we needed, and obviously you can see that with the results."
The Pride gathered Monday evening for the NCAA tournament selection show, knowing they'd hear their name called at some point.
The end result generated mixed feelings among PNW's cavalcade of athletes and coaches.
"I feel really good about a game against Lewis. I feel that's a good, competitive opening-round game," Dunn said. "Seeding-wise, I think we probably deserved to be a little higher than a 10. But at this point it is what it is."
Dunn's athletes agree with him on the seeding front.
"Being a 10 seed is kind of crazy, because I feel like we were capable of being a higher seed," Murillo said.
"The people that decide, I get they've never heard of PNW. So I guess that's why we're coming in 10th," Moran added. "But we were disappointed, because we know how good we are. … Now we're in a position to prove everyone wrong, as we've been doing from the beginning of the season."
PNW and Lewis duked it out back in late August, with the Pride and Flyers battling to a scoreless draw in Hammond.
"There were some scoring opportunities for each team that neither of us were able to convert," Dunn said. "Neither of us have really changed our structure or style of play all that much. We've both been very similar. So I think it's going to be a similar game, just the better versions of each team."
One wrinkle to the rematch is Friday's bout being contested on natural grass in Springfield.
"We're two teams that predominantly play on turf," Dunn said. "It's going to be interesting to see how that impacts the game."
Murillo and Moran both expressed confidence in the Pride's ability to win in the program's inaugural NCAA D-II tournament appearance.
"The motivation is still going to be there after winning the GLIAC title," Murillo said. "We're eager to get a win."
Should PNW take the victory Friday, the Pride would earn a second-round matchup with second-seeded host Illinois-Springfield (13-1-6) at 2 p.m. Sunday in Illinois. PNW handed the Prairie Stars their lone loss of the season back in early September, when the Pride snared a 2-1 win in Hammond.
"It would be great to win the first (tournament match) … and if that happens, we'd be super happy to move on to the next challenge," Moran said. "I don't think nerves are really setting in or anything like that. We're prepared well, so we're confident and ready to go."
