KSFY News - Sioux Falls, SD News, Weather, SportsUSF to Join GNAC for Men's Soccer

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (February 2, 2012) – The University of Sioux Falls athletic department and head men's soccer coach Paul Bennett are pleased to announce their agreement to become an affiliate member of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in men's soccer.

 The University of Sioux Falls will join University of Mary, Montana State University Billings, Northwest Nazarene University (Idaho), Saint Martin's University (Wash.), Seattle Pacific University (Wash.), Simon Fraser University (B.C.) and Western Washington University, bringing membership in the GNAC men's soccer conference to eight.

 The Cougars are in their final year of NCAA DII transition and has been accepted into the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, which does not sponsor men's soccer.

 Sioux Falls joins a conference that has accounted for nine men's soccer national championships from current or former members.

 "Joining the GNAC is very exciting for our men's soccer program," said Bennett. "We feel it's one of the top DII men's soccer conferences in the country and we look forward to the challenge of competing week in and week out against a very high level of competition." 

 The GNAC saw two men's soccer teams finish ranked in the top 11 in the nation. Simon Fraser, who is also in their final transition to the NCAA DII, posted an 18-0-1 record and represented the GNAC as the No. 1 ranked NCAA Division II team in the nation in the 2011 final regular-season poll, while Seattle Pacific ended its season ranked No.11.

 The 2012 USF men's soccer schedule features seven home conference matchups and one non-conference meeting with William Jewell College. The Cougars will be tested early, as they host Simon Fraser in their first home conference action, September 20th at the USF Sports Complex.

"When we built the USF Sports Complex, we made a significant investment in the sport of soccer. We have a wonderful soccer specific artificial Mondo turf, full-time coaches, skilled student athletes, and now two great conferences for both our men's and women's teams to compete," said University of Sioux Falls President Mark Benedetto.  

"The Great Northwest Athletic Conference is an extremely competitive group of soccer playing universities. The opportunity to have seven quality teams compete against us in Sioux Falls next fall was a key factor in our decision to join the GNAC." 

Coach Bennett expressed how important it was to receive the support of both the athletic department and the University in this transition to the GNAC. 

"I would like to say thank you to our athletic director Willie Sanchez for his support in exploring this affiliation with the GNAC as an option for our men's soccer program," said Bennett. "I would also like to thank our president Mark Benedetto for approving this proposed affiliation, because without this approval and support we would not be joining this great conference."

USF faced four GNAC institutions last season in Montana State Billings, Northwest Nazarene, Seattle Pacific and Simon Fraser. However, now as a member of the GNAC, the Cougars will have the opportunity to travel and compete against conference opponents located throughout Northwestern region of the country.

"We are equally excited for the travel opportunities that the GNAC offers our students.  Most of our players have never been to the Seattle area and they will not only have that opportunity, but will play Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada," said Benedetto.

 "Our players and staff are also very excited about the opportunity to travel to the Northwest to compete, as it is a region we have not historically played in and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to do so this fall," said Bennett.

 Sioux Falls will be immediately eligible for the conference championship and all conference awards.

 The Cougars open the 2012 season at home Sunday September 2nd, when they host William Jewell College at the USF Sports Complex. The game is set for a 3p.m. start. A full 2012 schedule has been attached.