North American College advances to Clericus Cup quarterfinals

Published: 2008-03-10

ROME (CNS) -- Rome's Pontifical North American College made the playoffs of the Clericus Cup soccer tournament after its 5-4 win against the Seminary of Our Lady of Divine Love March 8. The NAC Martyrs will face Pontifical Urbanian University in the quarterfinals April 5. Making the semifinals April 19 will "really depend on our team getting healthy" since key players have suffered injuries both on and off the pitch all year, said the team's trainer and co-captain, Daniel O'Mullane of Paterson, N.J. The Martyrs' last three games have been decided in shootouts after regular play. O'Mullane told Catholic News Service the team's goalie, Father Andy Roza of Omaha, Neb., is the team hero for his play. O'Mullane recalled the Feb. 23 shootout against St. Paul the Apostle's team in which Father Roza "saved three penalty kicks in a row; it was spectacular." Though the team "has a tendency to start out slow," the players have "a lot of fight and resiliency" and do not let falling behind in the first half get them down, he said.

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