2024 National Tournament Recap | Division II Men's Soccer

Huntsville, Ala. – Northeast and Iowa Lakes both received at-large bids to compete at the National Tournament this season. Both proved that they deserved the vi with Iowa Lakes making it to the semi-finals and Northeast winning the National Title – their first national title in any sport.

Northeast entered the tournament as the fifth seeded team and in pool play they overcame Mercer County 2-1 behind two goals from Marius Elmose. Then in their match against fourth seeded Phoenix (Ariz.) they crushed the Bears 6-2. Elmsoe scored twice again, Edouard Nys put scored twice, Tobias Gerber and Lewis Rourke each had one.

In the semi-final matchup against Pima the Hawks had to prove it, they toppled the No. 1 team in the country in penalties following a 2-2 draw in regular time – after finding themselves down 2-0 at halftime. It was Elmose once again with a goal and Edouard Nys with one as well. Northeast scored all five of their penalties and one the shootout 5-3.

Northeast in the National Championship went behind early to Neosho County before quickly squaring things up at 1-1. In the second half it was Aleksander Pedersen that proved the hero with a game winning goal.

Iowa Lakes' National Tournament did not end in a repeat title, but they started strong. In pool play the Lakers won their first match 2-0 over tenth seeded Morton (Ill.); Haruya Higuchi and Keiji Segiura were the goal scorers. In the second pool play game the same two found the back of the net to win 2-1 over sixth seeded CCBC Essex (NJ.)

In the semi-finals the Lakers found themselves facing a familiar foe Neosho County, who beat them in the district final earlier in the season. The story repeated itself again as Neosho County beat Iowa Lakes 3-1 and ended the Lakers hopes for a repeat at the National Title.

Being the winners of the National Tournament Northeast took home three of the four tournament awards. Offensive Player of the Tournament went to Marius Elmrose, Edouard Nys took home the Tournament MVP and lastly Coach Adam Potter took home Coach of the Tournament.

Northeast featured three players on the All-Tournament Team with Marius Elmose, Lewis Rourke and Mathias Kristofferson earning the honors. Iowa Lakes featured one player, Keiji Segiura, on the All-Tournament team.

Iowa Lakes:

Pool 1 - (3) Iowa Lakes def. (10) Morton College, 2-0 - Box Score

Pool 2 - (3) Iowa Lakes def. (6) CCBC Essex, 2-1 - Box Score

Semifinal - (4) Iowa Lakes def. (2) Neosho County def, 3-1 - Box Score

Northeast:

Pool 1 - (5) Northeast def. (9) Mercer County, 2-1 - Box Score

Pool 2 - (5) Northeast def. (4) Phoenix, 6-2 - Box Score

Semifinal - (5) Northeast def. (1) Pima, 2-2 (5-3 PK) Box Score

Championship - (5) Northeast def. Phoenix, 2-1 - Box Score