LIVONIA, Mich. - Entering its 26th season, the Madonna University men's soccer team has a rich history which features nine Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference regular-season championships, seven tournament titles, five trips to the NAIA National Tournament and an NAIA National Championship Semifinal appearance. This summer, a pair of Crusaders could add national champion to their resumes.
Current Crusader student-athlete, Yuri Farkas, and 2019 graduate, Hector Morales, have both had very successful summers with their respective teams and each will play for a national championship on Saturday, Aug. 3.
Morales, who signed a professional contract with Miami FC, plays in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and will lead the Miami club into the 2019 NPSL National Championship against the New York Cosmos on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale, New York.
Miami FC enters the championship game 11-1 on the year and Morales has played in every game this season and has two goals and five assists. Fans can catch the action live online at mycujoo.tv.
Morales was a key cog for the Crusaders in 2017 as he played in 21 games and was second on the team with 34 points with 15 goals and four assists as the Blue and Gold made the trip to eh NAIA National Championship in Delray Beach, Florida where they advanced for the first time since 2011, falling to eventual national champion Missouri Valley 3-1.
A senior from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Farkas has had an incredible summer for the Flint City Bucks of the United Soccer League Two, which is part of the North American soccer tiered structure. Formerly the PDL, 70 percent of all selections in the MLS SuperDraft since 2010 have appeared in the league.
Behind the golden boot of Farkas, the Bucks appeared in their record eighth final four and are making their sixth national championship trip as Farkas drilled home a penalty kick in the second half of a 1-0 semifinal win over FC Golden State (Los Angeles) on July 28. Farkas has appeared in 14 games so far this summer and has eight goals and three assists and has seven points in his past three games.
The Bucks, who play at Kettering University's Atwood Stadium in Flint, was awarded the title match on Saturday with kick-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for Saturday's match are $15 VIP reserved, $10 Adult GA and $5 Youth GA (12-under). Tickets may be purchased via www.ticketmaster.com, in person at Flint Prints, 615 S. Saginaw Street, downtown Flint and at the stadium on Saturday evening. Atwood Stadium gates open at 5:30 pm and fans are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the Market Tap Beer Garden, Halo Burger Food Truck, FCB Merchandise Tent and Funtastic Inflatable for the kids.
Farkas was sensational for MU last season as he led the team with 55 points on 25 goals and five assists. His goals tie the single-season program record while his points rank fourth-best in a season.
Be sure to check back next week to learn more about the summer success of these Madonna men's soccer standouts.
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