Oklahoma City – For the first time since 2023, top-seeded Mid-America Christian claimed the 2026 Sooner Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Tournament title by defeating No. 2 seed John Brown 2-1 on Wednesday evening at Dill Soccer Field in Oklahoma City, Okla. This is the sixth time in program history that the Evangels have won the tournament crown.
 
The two teams played on even terms for the first 31 minutes of the match until Vito Callaci cracked the scoreboard on assists from Daniel Gallagher and Leonardo Leitao in the 32^nd minute to put the Evangels ahead 1-0. Mid-America Christian held a 7-4 advantage in shots during the first 45 minutes.
 
The Evangels wasted little time in the second half to extend the lead as Ellis Dunn intercepted a pass and scored from 16 yards out into the lower right side of the goal to put Mid-America Christian on top 2-0 in the 55^th minute. The Golden Eagles cut the deficit to a goal late in the match as Alejandro Gallardo placed a perfect header into the left side of the goal off a centering pass from Amaury Jarry to make the score 2-1 in the 88^th minute. John Brown continued to apply pressure over the final 2:30 of the match with a pair of corner kicks, but the Evangels’ defense was able to stop the threat and claim the title.
 
Mid-America Christian held a 12-9 advantage in shots and a 3-2 edge in shots on goal in the match. Matias Garcia led the Evangels’ attack with three shots while Dunn, Callaci, and Leitao all added a pair of shots, while Julian Huertas earned the victory in goal with a save as Mid-America Christian improves to 17-1-2 on the season. Gallardo paced the John Brown efforts with four shots, while Constantin Bauer chipped in with three shots as the Golden Eagles fell to 12-4-1.
 
The two teams, as well as others from around the country, will await hearing their name called during the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Tournament Selection Show on Friday, November 13, starting at 6 p.m. on the NAIA Network.