Senior midfielder Matt Kaminski, who was named most outstanding player of the tournament, believes that the feeling of winning something so prestigious is addicting and will help motivate returning players in the future.

“This past week will undoubtedly motivate current and future MSU Club Soccer members as they have experienced the single highest honor and accomplishment that one can attain in club sports,” Kaminski said. “I promise you, once you are a part of a moment like that, you want to do whatever you can to get back there again.”

The men’s team took the title by beating Weber State in a shootout Saturday night after both teams failed to find the back of the net during the game and overtime. The women’s team, on the other hand, won in sudden death overtime by a goal from freshman midfielder/forward Maddie Lucci to top California Santa Barbara.

Junior defender Andrew Phinney, who was named as part of the all-tournament team, believes that the attention will bring more interest and talent to the team.

“I believe our national championship will help define MSU Club Soccer as an elite team in the nation,” Phinney said. “Perhaps this title can help draw larger numbers to tryouts and, ultimately, increase the level of play, or talent, on our team.”

Being that this also is the women’s first national win, they too will receive this recognition as an elite club.

According to junior forward Eke Ofili, it is the close-knit nature of their team that led them to their success.

“I honestly feel that we have always been a good team because one thing we don’t lack is coming together as a family; we all have each other’s backs no matter what,” Ofili said. “The team spirit of this club is truly phenomenal and it’s up to us, the current players, to keep up that spirit and extend it to the future players.”

Overall, looking to the future many of the players believe that this win will light a fire in the teams and motivate them to repeat the victory in future years.

“Every member on the squad realizes that dreams can be achieved if you fully commit yourself and work as a team to accomplish your goals,” Phinney said. “Whether it be summer conditioning, team bonding or training in the snow, our group of guys has experienced what it takes to be national champs and will duplicate the process in future seasons.”