Under the watchful eye of Paul Hansen, the fifth-year head coach of #13-ranked Pioneer Football, MNU is returning to postseason play. The Pioneers (9-1) leap-frogged conference rival and #12-ranked Baker University to earn a coveted first-round bye in the NAIA playoffs.
“I’m very happy with the team and how we responded after our lone loss,” Hansen said. “To come back and win our ninth conference championship in program history is really a testament to all the players and coaches we’ve had here. I’m really proud of our seniors who helped lead this team to back-to-back conference championships.”
The Pioneers were strong on offense and defense this year. Paced on offense by a balanced attack, quarterback Adrian Parsons threw 36 touchdown passes, while running backs Shawn Cherry and Cameron Finley combined for nearly 1,700 yards on the ground. Parsons’ favorite receiving targets were EJ Rogers (11 TDs), Aiyo’n Carter (8 TDs), and Myles Hymes (6 TDs). The Pioneers’ stout defense was led by Jon Brown (54 tackles), Calvin Broussard (6 sacks), and Max Webber (4 interceptions).
At the writing of this article, MNU was awaiting the results of the first-round playoff games to learn who they will be facing.
Both Soccer Programs Qualify for Nationals
Pioneer Women’s Soccer earned their first-ever conference title after winning the Heart conference tournament on the pitch of perennial powerhouse Central Methodist, 2-1. Sixth-year head coach Bryce McClanahan (’17) introduced a new formation, which paid dividends this year as Pioneers went 14-4-2 on their way to the national tournament. The Pioneers will face Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, in the opening round of the NAIA national tournament.
As the defending NAIA national champions, the Pioneer Men’s Soccer team faced stiff competition all season, ending with a 9-5-4 record and an opening-round loss in the Heart Conference Tournament. MNU’s strength of schedule this year proved to clinch a 14th trip to the NAIA national tournament. The Pioneers will continue to defend their title in the opening round at home against Huntington (Ind.) University.
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