KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The 2012 McMurry University men's soccer team have found their stride entering the 2012 NCCAA National Championship tournament. After a slow start to the season, the War Hawks captured the NCCAA Central Region Championship last week.

With the regional crown in hand, McMurry has made the 21 1/2  hour trip to Kissimme, Florida, to compete in the National Championship Tournament, Wednesday-Saturday.
 
Opening the tournament as the #8 seed, the War Hawks' first test in their strive for the national title is a big one. McMurry will face the #1-seed, Fresno Pacific University at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
 
McMurry comes into the contest having won four in a row and five of its last six contests. The War Hawks stormed through the Central Region, defeating Dallas Baptist (2-0), Mid-America Christian (3-2) and Central Christian (3-2), on their way to a central region title.
 
Fresno Pacific comes into the game winners of 12-straight including victories over Trinity Lutheran (5-1) and California Baptist (3-1), to capture the NCCAA West region crown.
 
The War Hawks have scored 30 goals on the year while allowing 33. The team is led by James Ness, who has six goals on the year. Colin Lund has four on the season, including three in the NCCAA Regional playoffs. Desmond Williams has scored three times this season while six different War Hawks have two on the year.
 
The Sunbirds have scored 76 goals this season, while allowing just 22 over the course of the year. Three different Sunbirds have scored at least ten goals, led by Paul Islas' 20. Alvaro Nogales has 12 on the year, while Bruno Pessoa has 10.
 
Game Notes
 
*Senior Tyler Tarango was named a NCCAA All-Central Region performer for his play this season.

*This is the first time the War Hawks have made a post-season appearance since 2004. Coincidently, head coach Paul Tate was the starting goalie on that team.

*McMurry's ten wins are two more than the team collected between the years of 2007-2011 (eight in five seasons).

*McMurry needs just three wins to capture the NCCAA National Championship, in just its first year as a NCCAA member.
 
*You can watch all of the War Hawks' games live, here!