Last year, the men's soccer team needed to have the best conference record and the conference title in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference to earn the NCAA Div. III automatic bid.
This year, it's different.
The Tigers will enter the semifinals of their first ever NCAC conference tournament, where they will look to create a lasting impression. Senior goalkeeper Nate Sprenkel is looking forward to this newfound opportunity.
"We all are very excited for this tournament," Sprenkel said. "You win and you get another game, you lose you have to wait for that possible NCAA at-large bid. We want to get that trophy and earn the NCAA bid."
Senior forward Sam Meyer is confident in his team and its preparation.
"We have had some great practices and everyone is extremely positive," Meyer said. "We need to go out and play our game with lots of emotion, and not get down on ourselves."
Freshman forward Andy Morrison believes the Tigers know what they need to do in order to win and advance.
"Anything can happen. We expect and know we can win," Morrison said. "We control our own destiny, and we know what we need to do."
Morrison and Meyer lead a talented offense capable of dominating possession up front and creating lots of chances.
What will be important for the Tigers in the tournament is whether or not the team can convert some of those chances into goals.
Morrison leads the team with seven goals, followed by Meyer with five.
The Tigers are hoping to leave their mark in the NCAC tournament and on DePauw as well.
"It is our first year in the NCAC, and to get a victory would be an amazing feeling," Meyer said.
Defensively, anchored by Sprenkel in goal, the team has allowed just 14 goals, including four shutouts.
The Tigers will host Hiram College tomorrow at 5 p.m. on Boswell Field in the NCAC conference semifinals. The Tigers beat Hiram at Boswell on Sept. 24 with a score of 2-1. Morrison scored both goals, one of them assisted by Meyer.
The game will be broadcasted live on 91.5 WGRE.