Columbia, Mo. – Harris-Stowe State College defeated Columbia College in the championship match of the American Midwest Conference (AMC) tournament earlier today in a thriller that came down to penalty kicks. Following regulation and two overtime periods, the score remained tied at 0-0. Columbia failed to connect on any of its attempts during the penalty kicks, while Harris-Stowe managed to net two of its tries, giving the Hornets the AMC tournament title. Both teams will advance to the Region V tournament, which is set to begin next week.

For the second consecutive season, Brad Jenks, a midfielder for the Columbia College Cougars, has been named the league’s Most Valuable Player in men’s soccer. The senior from Columbia, Mo. led his team to an overall record of 17-3 and a second place finish in AMC regular-season play. Jenks recorded 14 goals and five assists for the Cougars, guiding them to a #6 ranking in the NAIA’s final regular-season rankings.

Luiz Del Monte, a midfielder for the Harris-Stowe State College Hornets, is the 1999 AMC Freshman of the Year. Del Monte, who hails from Brazil, provided the Hornets with instant offensive firepower upon his arrival this season. He scored 13 goals and assisted on 12 more, leading HSSC to the AMC regular-season championship.

The Newcomer of the Year honor is bestowed upon the top transfer-student in the AMC, as voted on by league coaches. B.J. Latas, a senior goalie for Harris-Stowe State College, is the 1999 recipient of this award. Latas proved unbeatable in the net versus almost every opponent his team faced this season. He allowed only one goal in six league games and, in 907 minutes in the net during the regular-season, the Lee’s Summit native recorded 8.5 shutouts, allowing only three goals to sneak past him.

Also for the second time in two years, Dan Hogan from Columbia College has been named the AMC Coach of the Year. Hogan led the Cougars to a regular-season record of 17-3 and a #6 ranking in the final regular-season NAIA poll. Hogan, who is in his ninth season at Columbia, is the all-time winningest coach in Cougar soccer history.

Hannibal-LaGrange College
Michael Brookshire, Andrew Lawson, Brandon McKinnon, Rolando Perales, Martin Prada, Martin Watson, Brian Wilson

Harris-Stowe State College
Justin Francois, Scott Hartwig, Moses Jaoko, Joseph Kipnusu, George Otieno Omundi, Francis Wakhisi

McKendree College
Rick Ringwald, Diego Duhour, Dan Lane

Missouri Baptist College
Saeid Naemi, David Evans

Park College
Levi Young, Jerod Watkins, Garret Doolittle, Adrian Callaghan, Tyler Linn