Box Score    Photo Gallery
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – On the 20th anniversary of the first national title, the Belhaven men's soccer team added a second on Saturday night defeating the University of Mobile 2-0 in the 2012 NAIA National Championship at the Emory Folmar YMCA Soccer complex in Montgomery, Alabama. The Blazers scored two goals in the first half and the defense did the rest by posting the third shutout in five national tournament games.

Belhaven (19-4-1) drew up a familiar game plan Saturday night and that was to control the game by winning the possession battle. The Blazers picked their opportunities to strike and they found pay dirt for the first time Saturday in the 15th minute. Guilherme Sousa found himself with the ball 18 yards from the box and Victor Lawrence curled around Sousa to get within eight yards of the goal. Sousa threaded the pass through the defense to Lawrence who struck the ball with his right foot, tucking the ball into the left side of the net for a 1-0 lead. It was Lawrence's fourth goal of the tournament after he notched a solo goal against Tennessee Wesleyan and two goals versus Hannibal-LaGrange.

Twelve minutes later, Belhaven got on the board again with a strong offensive push up the field. The Blazers induced a corner kick and Friday's hero Eduardo Cruz was called upon to send the ball into the box from the left corner. Cruz placed the ball just outside the six yard box where Tom Cosgrave was waiting. Cosgrave jumped into the air and headed the ball past goalie Xavier Audergon for a 2-0 advantage and his fourth goal of the 2012 campaign.

Mobile (17-5-2) stepped up its attack over the final minutes of the first half, but couldn't solve the Belhaven defense. That same scenario continued through the second period even though the Rams outshot Belhaven 21-12 on the afternoon. The Blazers survived the onslaught with solid defense, as they have done the whole tournament. As the saying goes, “offense wins games and defense wins championships,” and that saying proved true again Saturday.

“This is a very special experience and a great feeling,” said first year Head Coach Brian McMahon. “We were given a second chance and we talked for a week and a half preparing for this that whether we won or whether we lost, even if it was in the first round, we wanted to play like this was a special experience.”

The common denominator in this tournament was that Belhaven dictated its style of play to the opponents. Coach McMahon felt like that was a big key in the tournament run. “I feel like the difference in the tournament is that we were able to play our style. We played some teams that were very explosive in the attack and we tried to do the best we could at slowing them down by keeping the ball and frustrating them. I think we did a good job of that.”

Lawrence led the offense with three shots, including two on goal with one finding the back of the net for the game winner. Lawrence was also named the 2012 NAIA National Championship Tournament MVP. Lawrence described what this moment was like for him and his teammates following the match. “This feels incredible and this team is like a family,” said Lawrence. “This year our goal was to play well and to make a strong run in the national tournament. We made it to the round of 16 last year and our goal was to win the championship this season.”

Cosgrave, who was named the Defensive Player of the Tournament, had only one shot but found the back of the net. Cosgrave anchored the defense and helped stop numerous attacks throughout the tournament. Not to be forgotten, goalie Carl Blundell was also a critical piece to the puzzle in Belhaven's championship run. Blundell made four more saves on Saturday to earn the win in goal. Blundell was recognized for his efforts by being named to the All-Tournament team.

Other All-Tournament player honors for Belhaven were issued to midfielders Cruz and Tom Gavin.

Mobile, who had won three straight against the Blazers including a 3-1 win in Jackson earlier this season, was led by Gaetan Massiah with seven shots with two on goal. Sam Blackburn and Naissim Ayadi attempted four shots each. Xavier Audergon played all 90 minutes in net and suffered the loss, allowing two goals with five saves.

Saturday's national championship is the third overall for Belhaven University and second for the men's soccer program. The 1983 men's tennis team owns the school's other national title.

The official NAIA game story/notes, including the complete list of All-Tournament Team awards can be viewed by clicking here.