Parkside 2, Saginaw Valley State 1
The Rangers already had a regular season title under their belt, but they knew it wouldn't mean as much if it wasn't matched by a tournament championship. Senior Burim Huseini made sure the work they put in during the regular season didn't go to waste as he buried a long-range shot in the 79^th minute to send the Ranger faithful into a frenzy. Huseini's goal essentially sealed the conference tournament championship for Parkside, and sent the team to the NCAA tournament. The tournament championship is the first for head coach Jason Zitzke, and the first for the program since winning the GLVC tournament in 2000.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Parkside got off to the start they were looking for, as junior Tode Atlija received a pass from Huseini on the edge of the eighteen-yard box. With just the goalie to beat, Atlija took his chance and slotted it into the right corner of the goal to give the team the 1-0 lead in the 9^th minute. After scoring the opener, the Rangers were content to posses the ball and hold the lead until the half. Coming out of the break, things changed. Saginaw Valley State starting possessing the ball more and ultimately found an equalizer in the 60^th minute. Following the goal, it appeared the Cardinals had the momentum, but Parkside held strong and kept the game at 1-1 for the time being. Parkside's decider came in the 79^th minute when junior Max Ludwig hit Atlija in stride in the middle of the field, who back-heel passed to Huseini, who fired a 25-yard shot into the top corner of the Saginaw Valley State goal.
 
HEAR FROM COACH ZITZKE
"I'm really happy for these guys," said head coach Jason Zitzke. "Saginaw is a fantastic and well-coached team. They had us pinned in there until the last fifteen minutes. After that we had a good run of play that ended in Ludwig, to Atlija, who made a great back-heel pass to Huseini to set up the goal. We are going to cherish this one, but I feel like we have a little more soccer in us."
 
"I don't know where we are going to go, or who we are going to play, but we're excited for the opportunity," Zitzke continued. "I'd also like the thank my wife and kids. They have been very supportive of me over my time as a coach here at Parkside and I couldn't be here without all the support I get from them."
 
STATWORTHY
In attack, the Rangers were led by Huseini and Atlija, who each had a goal and an assist. Ludwig also registered an assist on Huseini's goal. Senior goalkeeper Juan Gonzalez only had five saves in the box score, but had a strong game for Parkside, consistently coming up big in key moments.
 
POSTSEASON CONTINUES
The Rangers will await the NCAA selection show that takes place on Monday, Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m. to see where they are headed next. If the team is awarded a 7-10 seed, they will play their first game of the tournament on Nov. 21 or Nov. 22. If they are awarded a 1-6 seed they will open the tournament on Nov. 23 or Nov. 24. The selection show will be available to watch on NCAA.com.