ORANGE BEACH, Ala. -- Eddy Campbell scored in the first half and Philip Sandgren added a goal in the second to lift No. 2 seed Lindsey Wilson College over No. 3 seed Baker (Kan.) University 2-0 in the semifinals of the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship on Friday night at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.
The Blue Raiders advance to their ninth NAIA title game at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday against top seeded Hastings (Neb.) University. Lindsey Wilson is a perfect 8-0 in the title game and 1-0 all time against Hastings, winning 5-0 at home in 2004.
Saturday's championship can be seen live on WatchNAIA.com for $9.95 or followed through live stats for free here.
Campbell delivered the game winner in just the 10th minute of the game as junior Mat Luak sent a through ball down the middle of the field, allowing Campbell to chip the shot in near the left post from about 10-feet out.
Odaine Sinclair fired a trio of shots for the Wildcats the rest of the half, but two of them were blocked out of the box by the Blue Raider defense and the other sailed wide.
Sandgren added the cushion for Lindsey Wilson in the 64th minute off a corner kick by senior Anyelo Avila. The freshman forward took possession on the left side of the goal box and fired his shot into the back of the net.
Lindsey Wilson freshman goalkeeper Yuta Nomura had to be on his toes late in the second half as four shots were sent his way, but the freshman from Tokyo, Japan made the stop on all of them to preserve the shutout.
Finishing with five saves, Nomura tallied his second shutout of the postseason, while Baker keeper Matt Bickley collected three saves with the two goals allowed.
The team's closed the game tied in shots at 14, while the Blue Raiders tallied a 6-5 advantage in shots on goal. Campbell paced Lindsey Wilson with four shots and Sinclair attempted a game-high five.
Lindsey Wilson made its last appearance in the NAIA title game in 2009, beating The Master's College 1-0 in Fresno, Calif. Current Blue Raider senior Chris Williams was named the tournament's most outstanding player.
The Blue Raiders have won eight NAIA Championships with three of the wins being registered in Alabama, two in Birmingham (1996, 1998) and one in Mobile (1995).
Saturday's final will be the first time the championship's No. 1 and No. 2 seeds have met since 2001 when top seeded Lindsey Wilson beat No. 2 seed Auburn Montgomery 4-0 in Bowling Green, Ky.
Box Score
Photos
