The men’s soccer team began the 2011 season 0-4 and now that same team is heading to the NCAA Tournament after winning its third-consecutive WIAC Championship. 
The Warhawks play their first round game at 6 p.m. Thursday at Washington University of St. Louis in St. Louis.
“We had some trust and chemistry issues early this season but we’re a different team now and are ready to play a fabulous Washington University team,” Henschel said.
Last Friday, the ‘Hawks wrapped up the regular season at home with a 1-0 victory against UW-Oshkosh. The Titans racked up 11 shots on goal for the game but came away with zero goals, while the‘Hawks only had two shots in the entire game that both came in the first half.
Head coach Greg Henschel said his team has been outshot several times in victories this year.
“We have been outshot by other teams, but we have made the most of our opportunities and that’s really the way our season has gone,” Henschel said.
The only goal of the game was scored by senior Kevin Kron, who was assisted by freshmen Austin Saari and Jonathon Fischer. Kron leads the team this season with 10 goals.
After the game, all that was left to do was wait. The WIAC does not have enough teams to make it an automatic qualifier conference, which meant the team’s fate was in the hands of the NCAA Tournament committee.
The team started this season losing its first four games, three of which were at home. To have any chance at making the NCAA Tournament the ‘Hawks would need to put together an impressive resume.
They did just that going on a 12-3 tear after the 0-4 skid, at one point winning six straight to finish 12-7 overall and 8-0 in conference play. The men also recorded seven shutouts this season.
Henschel said he never lost faith in his team, even after the grim start to the 2011 campaign. His confidence might have stemmed from his team not losing a conference game since 2008 and never posting a losing record in his 13 years at the helm.
“It sounds crazy but there was never a moment this season where our coaching staff thought we wouldn’t make it to the NCAA Tournament,” Henschel said. “We knew this group had the talent and the discipline to win conference and make it to the tournament.”
Henschel’s players share his sentiments and are ready to prove that 12-3 stretch was no fluke.
“After our first win we started believing and having fun and played our best soccer,” junior Matt Mikesell said. “Washington is a very good team, but record doesn’t matter now because everyone’s 0-0.”
Captain Logan Fye said the team’s run is not over yet.
“Washington will pose a great challenge and we’re ecstatic we got a tournament bid,” Fye said. “But we’re not satisfied with just getting in, we’re looking to make some noise.”
