11/13/2008
Men's Soccer Returns to the NCAA Tournament; Draws Norwich

WORCESTER, MASS. 11/12/08 - The wait is finally over. After 21 years on the sidelines, the Clark University men's soccer team is back in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

"I'm thrilled for the program," said ninth-year coach David Kulik. "Obviously the hope is that we are not content with just making the tournament, but making a mark in the tournament."

Making their first appearance in the "big dance" since 1987, the Cougars earned an at-large bid after falling in the quarterfinals of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament.

Clark (11-4-2) will face Norwich University (17-2-1) in a first-round game that will be played on Saturday afternoon (1:30 p.m.) at host Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vt. Norwich clinched a spot in the tournament by capturing the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship.

Clark and Norwich last met during the 2006 regular season, where the Cougars defeated the Cadets, 1-0, in overtime.

"Norwich was a relatively young team last time we played them," Kulik said. "But, they have a lot of those players back that are now matured and ready to make a mark themselves."

"I expect a competitive game that will most likely be determined on a couple of key plays along the way," added Kulik, the 2008 NEWMAC Coach of the Year. "Hopefully we make more of those key plays."

Clark is not the only NEWMAC team in the NCAA Tournament. Rival Babson College was awarded the conference's automatic bid, while MIT received an at-large offer. Both teams will also be in action on Saturday.

"It's great for the NEWMAC," said Kulik. "The good part about playing in a competitive conference like ours is that it prepares and hardens you for the types of games that we are going to play this weekend. Hopefully, all of us can do a good job in the tournament."

The defending Division III champs, Middlebury (13-2-2) will go up against Framingham State (16-3-1) in the earlier match-up on Saturday (11 a.m.). The two first-round winners will play on Sunday (1 p.m.).

Ticket prices are $6 for adults and $3 for students.