Trent Rickard scored once and assisted on three more goals, and The Master's University men's soccer team won the GSAC Championship with a 5-1 win over Benedictine Mesa on Monday afternoon in Santa Clarita.
The title is the Mustangs' first GSAC tournament crown since 2009, when Jim Rickard's squad swept the GSAC regular-season and tournament titles and went on to finish as NAIA national runner-up. It also comes after TMU fell to Hope International in the GSAC championship match in both 2023 and 2024. The Mustangs (13-4-3) earn the GSAC's automatic berth to the NAIA National Championship.
"Going into this year, we were so determined to work hard and have a different outcome than last year," Zach Bates said. "Credit to our offense for how well we've played defensively, because they've taken so much pressure off us. Obviously, all praise and glory to the Lord. He's why we do this sport."
Rickard was involved in nearly everything TMU did offensively. He took a team-high 10 shots, put four on target and delivered seven of the Mustangs' eight corner kicks. Adiel Kaduya added two goals, and Michael Masimango and Jaime Dominguez each scored once.
TMU took control early. Rickard set up Kaduya for the opening goal at 16:22, then scored himself at 30:42 off a feed from Braden Krusey. Masimango made it 3-0 at 39:16, scoring moments after a TMU corner kick, and the Mustangs carried a three-goal lead into halftime.
The Mustangs kept the pressure on after the break. Rickard and Kaduya connected again at 59:48 for Kaduya's second goal. In the 70th minute, Rickard sent in back-to-back corners, and Dominguez finished the second sequence at 70:08 to make it 5-0.
Benedictine Mesa avoided the shutout when Josh Arnold scored off a Bryan Ncube assist at 75:13.
"Coach has been so important to this year," Trent Rickard said. "He has been telling us all year to be ourselves and he's super encouraging. If we're not scoring or missing opportunities, he's the first one to tell us that it's coming and we're not worried."
TMU outshot the Redhawks 28-17, put 14 shots on goal to Benedictine Mesa's six and won the corner battle 8-3. Franco Barba went the full 90 minutes in goal and made five saves. Charlie Shepherd made nine saves for Benedictine Mesa.
"The team chemistry this year has been so awesome to see," TMU head coach Jim Rickard said. "They love playing with each other and it's shown on the field. I loved how today was such a team win. So many people got involved and had a huge impact on the game."
The Mustangs advance to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round, set for Nov. 19-21. Site and opponent will be announced.
