DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- With a not so subtle hint that the race for the national championship is on, each of the 20 teams in the 2005 NAIA Tournament spent Tuesday evening at the Daytona International Speedway encircled by one of the world’s most famous tracks – and each other.
For fifth-seeded Azusa Pacific (17-4-0), the regular season and this past week’s Region II championship are in the rear view mirror with its first round game against the No.12-seed Graceland (Iowa) in its sight. The Cougars, fresh off the first regional title in program history, are making their third appearance in the national tournament while the Yellowjackets (11-5-2) are making their inaugural trip.
“The experience is a big deal. I’m not sure you can go deep into the tournament wide-eyed. We were in a huge game against Lindsey Wilson last season and they know what to expect,” said head coach Phil Wolf.
Last season, Azusa Pacific won its first national tournament game over Mobile (Ala.), 4-2, before losing to Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) in the quarterfinals on penalty kicks. This time around the Cougars are hoping that their experience and added ability to score goals – a school record 78 thus far – will be the difference in making a deeper run.
While looking to advance, the Cougars’ game against Graceland on tap for Friday at 11 a.m. (EST) has their complete attention. The Yellowjackets received an at-large bid after losing in a Region V semifinal to Missouri Baptist on penalty kicks.
Azusa Pacific and Graceland shared 2 common foes this season, a pair of GSAC schools. The Yellowjackets tied Westmont, 0-0, and defeated GSAC co-champion Fresno Pacific, 2-0. Graceland also defeated the Lindenwood (Mo.), the defending national champions, 1-0 this season.
The Cougars have had a look at a smattering of teams in this year’s tournament and have gone 3-1 against 4 teams. They defeated Bethel (Ind.), Judson (Ill.) and Oklahoma Baptist this season but lost to Southern Nazarene (Okla.).
The Cougars’ Andriy Budnyy, the 2005 GSAC Player of the Year, has 38 points this season, including a team-high 17 goals. Budnyy, along with Ian Leibbrandt and Sven Simon, lead an attack that has set a new school record with 208 points and counting.
Before the tournament begins the Cougars are already pleased. The pitch at tournament host Embry-Riddle (Fla.) has short, fast grass and is wide, which will give Azusa Pacific room to play.
If Azusa Pacific holds serve based on seeding it is looking at a likely match-up with the No. 4-seed Auburn-Montgomery in the quarterfinals. In addition, the Cougars side of the bracket also includes top-seeded Rio Grande, the 2003 national champion.
“The thing about this tournament is that there is always someone like AUM, Rio Grande or Lindsey Wilson waiting if you get to the quarterfinals,” Wolf said. “It’s tough but it is what it is.”
Another positive aspect of the Cougars’ position is their recent play. They dominated the Region II playoffs outscoring Menlo, Biola and Concordia by a combined score of 14-2. Last season they entered the national tournament after losing a heart breaker in the region final to Holy Names on penalty kicks.
“I think those are 3 important wins and the results were never in question and we are playing as well as we have in awhile. That is always a good thing entering the national tournament,” said Wolf.
Regardless of all previous accomplishments, the single-elimination tournament for the national title gives all teams a clean slate while challenging their skill, depth and endurance. For Azusa Pacific the race begins Friday.
