Manuel, a 5-foot-10 sophomore center-back from Drogheda, Ireland, helped the 13th-ranked men’s soccer team to a 1-0 overtime victory against Southwestern Assemblies of God University in the opening round of the SAC Tournament. James Quinn scored the game-winning goal 3 minutes, 41 seconds into the extra period.
Manuel and the rest of the Pioneer defense allowed just three shots the entire match while recording the team’s 11th shutout of the season and sixth in the last eight matches.
"Manuel is the most solid defender we have. He doesn't get mentioned a lot because he doesn't score a lot of goals, but he is the best at his job, which is defending. Good defenders don't call the attention that much because their job is to defend and be simple,” coach Cristhian Ospina said.
The defending national champion Pioneers (13-3), who won three straight SAC regular-season titles and are aiming for a three-peat of SAC Tournament crowns, next host Mid-America Christian in the conference tournament semifinals at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The winner advances to the finals to be held Friday against the winner between No. 21 USAO and John Brown.
