Box Score
WICHITA, Kan. – #1 Dalton State played the first match at the final site of the 2024 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship presented by Select Sport America, got on the board early and managed to hang on late as they moved to the Round of 8 with a 1-0 win over Spring Arbor (Mich.) at Scheels Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, Kan. on Monday morning.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST HALF

• (1-0 DS) DS: Jip van den Essen connected with Jack Stainrod in the 2' for an early Roadrunner lead.

SECOND HALF

• NO SCORING

THE REST OF THE STORY
#1 Dalton State (Ga.) improves to (19-0-2 overall) on the season with the win and advances to the Round of 8 in Wichita, Kan., while Spring Arbor (Mich.) ends the season at (13-7-3 overall) with the loss. Jack Stainrod nabbed the only goal, with Jip van den Essen getting an assist.
 
The MVP of the match was Nicolas Leite in goal. His 6 hard-earned saves preserved the clean sheet. Spring Arbor outshot Dalton State 10-4 overall and 6-2 on frame. It only takes one opportunity, and DS took advantage of their limited opportunities.
 
UP NEXT
#1-ranked Dalton State will take on the winner of LSU Shreveport (La.) and Bellevue (Neb.) in the Round of 8 at Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, Kan. on December 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. (CT).
 
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FIND NEWS AND FOLLOW THE BIRDS: News and updates from Dalton State's men's soccer team are posted on dsroadrunners.com and on X (@DStateSoccer), Facebook (@DStateSoccer) and Instagram (daltonstatesoccer). Be sure to follow to keep pace with the Birds! 
 
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