MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- The only unseeded team at the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship final site nearly pulled off the upset of the most successful program in the last 20 years.

Unseeded Indiana Wesleyan University dropped a heartbreaking 2-1 result on Monday night to No. 2-seed Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) in the NAIA National Championship Round of 16 in Montgomery, Alabama. Lindsey Wilson advances to the national quarterfinals set for Wednesday.

“I’m very proud our guys,” said Indiana Wesleyan head coach Mark Castro. “I thought we came out with a good game plan and did a good job of getting information on Lindsey Wilson. For the most part we executed our game plan pretty well. But at this point, everybody in the final 16 are the top teams and it’s just a matter of inches and it’s a matter of the right execution at the right time.”

Lindsey Wilson made the right moves in the closing minutes of the second half with the score tied 1-1. Yazeed Davidz slotted a ball to Lwandiso Gonya who cut straight through the center of the Indiana Wesleyan defense and beat keeper Josh Goepper for the game-winner with only 2:04 remaining in regulation.

“Lindsey Wilson is a great side,” said Castro. “That is why they have nine national championships and have been here over 20 times. I think that experience showed tonight. Some of our inexperience showed with guys still trying to see what this looks like and that makes the difference. Their little bit of execution and little bit of quality outshined us in the 88th minute.”

The Blue Raiders grabbed the first lead of the night with a goal by Tom Moody in the 32nd minute. The goal came after a lot of the possession belonged to the Wildcats. But the Blue Raiders raced down the side and Moody one-touched the volley to the back of the net for the only goal of the first half.

“We made a marking mistake on the first goal,” continued Castro. “We challenged the guys at the half and this team has risen to every challenge set before them this year.”

Indiana Wesleyan was sure up to the challenge in the second half. IWU pressured Lindsey Wilson’s defense with 10 shots and six of those were on target. Indiana Wesleyan finally broke through for the game-tying goal in the 76th minute.

The Wildcats’ attack came from the corner where the Blue Raider keeper knocked an initial attack straight up in the air where Sam Kane was able to get a head on it and tie the score 1-1.

Indiana Wesleyan kept the pressure on Lindsey Wilson and nearly took the lead. Tyrone Martin fired a missile two minutes later that had a chance to put the Wildcats in the lead. But the Blue Raider keeper made his second spectacular save of the night to keep the score tied at 1-1.

“To be able to pull even with a goal by Sammy just gave us a new life,” stated Castro. “Shortly after that I thought we had an opportunity to win the game but there stellar keeper came up with a great save.”

Just after the scoring chance the possession started to equal out between the two teams until the Lindsey Wilson game-winner in the 88th minute.

Indiana Wesleyan held a 15-14 advantage in shots and 8-7 in shots on goal. Goepper finished the night with five saves for IWU.

Lindsey Wilson has won nine national championships, all in the past 17 years dating back to 1995. The victory tonight was their 50th in program history at the national tournament.

Conversely, Indiana Wesleyan is now 1-1 in NAIA National Championship play. Indiana Wesleyan won their first national tournament match on November 23 in a 5-0 win against Davenport (Mich.) in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round in Marion.

The Indiana Wesleyan season comes to an end with a 15-4-3 record and the program’s first trip to the NAIA National Tournament. Nine Wildcat seniors played their final contest in an Indiana Wesleyan uniform. The senior class helped Indiana Wesleyan win two straight Crossroads League regular season championships and this year’s Crossroads League Tournament championship.

“Our seniors have made this season very, very special,” said Castro. “They brought this program to the next level in their four years. I know right now, even though there is a lot of disappointment and sorrow in our hearts, looking back the guys are going to be very proud of this season.”

“I’m very proud of them and love them and this has been a special team and special season. It’s going to be a long time before another team will be as special as this one.”