OLIVER KIMOKEO | sports editor

Covering soccer this season has been nothing short of interesting.

To have both men’s and women’s soccer in the NAIA Championship game for the second consecutive year in a row is unprecedented and deserves recognition.

The soccer played this year has been amazing—it is truly hard to pick which team performed better this year.

Sure, it would be easy to pick men’s soccer over women’s because the men won their championship but the women have played amazingly as well.

All I know is that APU is privileged to have high-class programs for both teams. Phil Wolf and Jason Surrell have built teams strong on talent and character.

Their teams always come out to play. Every now and then, the Cougars have an off day but they recover nicely and still manage to win the match.

For awhile, it looked like both teams had an opportunity to go undefeated. Men’s soccer took their season opening streak to 17 while the women only had one blemish on their record prior to the National Tournament.

At the beginning of the season, it was apparent that the men’s soccer team was special. They just had the right stuff. Not only do the Cougars have to rely on talent but they also need the right formula of teamwork to accomplish something great.

Wolf and his coaching staff did just that as they built on My God, My Team, Myself.

Women’s soccer is often overshadowed by the men, especially in the wake of the men’s national championship game. The women were excellent in their own right.

These women played intense. They were solid all year long and their teamwork was amazing to watch. In addition, the sideline support never died down in a game—not even for a minute. There was always a constant voice off the sideline.

The Cougars have stood on ideals such as talent, character, and teamwork. Another thing which is not mentioned enough is their approachability as athletes and people.

The coaches and athletes I had the opportunity to meet this season are some of the coolest people I have interviewed. They have been overwhelmingly friendly and insightful. There are no egos present—just a love for the game and a love for their teammates.

On campus, God First is a phrase that is remembered often but often overshadowed by other life mottos we have adapted for ourselves.

Here is one group on campus which truly lives by the university mantra. They have put God First in their lives. And perhaps spirituality is what makes APU soccer so special.

The Cougars have a peace in their spirit, an underlying intangible which may be the factor to put ourselves in the position of national championship year in and year out.

Congratulations to both men’s and women’s soccer for putting together outstanding seasons.