2004 Men's Soccer National Champions
The 2004 Lindenwood Men’s Soccer program didn’t start its postseason run off with much success. The Lions didn’t win the HAAC Championship or the regional tournament. But after the Lions received an at-large bid to the NAIA National Tournament they turned everything around and ended the season on top of the NAIA soccer podium.
The Lions traveled to Olathe, Kansas for the NAIA National Tournament and it was a good stay. In the first round the Lions, the number three seed, shutout No. 14 Judson (Ill.) 3-0. In the quarterfinals the Lions matched up against Holy Names from California and were victorious 4-1. Next up in the semifinals for the Lions was No. 10 Berry (Ga.), and it was a 1-0 shutout victory.
After that win it was on to the finals against Auburn Montgomery. It was a rainy, cold night in Olathe and the Lions scored the game's first and only goal in the 61st minute. Milivoje Cecaric scored on a header from a corner kick and it was all the Lions needed. The Lions won the program's first national championship in four tries at the NAIA National Tournament.
Ignacio Novas was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and goalie Edin Sabic was the Outstanding Defensive Player. Martin Barreiro joined Novas and Sabic on the all-tournament team, and Novas, Barreiro, and Andres Sanchez were honorable mention All-Americans.
Lindenwood finished the 2004 season with a 19-3-1 overall record.
