It was a trial year for NW Missouri State
The path of the NCAA Division II national athletics a little smoother for a Northwest Missouri State.
The defending champions had to overcome a dead teammate, another with a diagnosis of cancer and late season, several injuries.
But the No. 4 Bear Cats (13-1) to try to forget it for 60 minutes today when they play No. 1 Carson-Newman in a revenge of the last World Cup game.
It is a difficult task to disrupt the hope unbesiegt Eagles (13-0).
“Coach (Ken Sparks), discussions on the unity of all time,” said Carson-Newman fight against Curt Ramage. “We encourage all together.”
Carson-Newman 439 yards Offense product last week against Northeastern Oklahoma State, boasted of Division II Top-ranking defence. The Eagles have won in the semi-final 42-7.
It is only the latest challenge for a long season for Northwest Missouri State.
“We had a lot of undulations on the road this year,” said coach Mel Tjeerdsma. “It was not as smooth as it was in the year 1998″.
The season was a dream, one for Bear Cats, won his first national title in each sport and was the first Division II in school history, until the end of 15-0.
This year has been a nightmare, before he even began - Back Corner Greg Wayne cancer was diagnosed in his leg in February.
“Cancer is a very scary thing,” said Tjeerdsma. “It really makes football in the right perspective. Suddenly, if you’re not concerned about football.”
Then the third day, declining practical guide defensive Aaron Becker tore a knee ligament.
Suddenly, the defending champions was asked how things had changed so quickly. The team seemed to drag the national title in 1998, was now nothing but evil breaks.
A 40-17 season opening loss to the Omaha, Nebraska seemed to sum Cats Bear “state of mind.
“We have done much research of the soul,” said Tjeerdsma. “Our preparation this week was not as good as it should have been. Fortunately, we had a week off to group.
But things even worse is now.
Wayne had pieces of his leg, but the cut was infected, and the Junior season ended after just one match.
Then, in November, the day before the Bear Cats Central Missouri played in a regular-season finale, Phil Voge freshman forward has died of injuries suffered in a car accident.
Bearcat players were just starting, practice, when she learned of the death Voge.
“We went through a difficult time that week,” said Tjeerdsma. “We were our biggest game of the week. If we lose the game, we are not even the fact that the playoffs.
“We talked a little time after this practice, and Wes Simmons (had lost a brother in a car accident last season) and a much strengthened in the conversation.”
Voge brother Matt, a defensive leader End, he gave his jersey No. 93 to No. 57 Voge, and a Beat Bear Cats Central Missouri.
“This team has been altered by a quantity,” said David Jansen run again. “This year, it seemed that everything was as always against us. But we do together, and now we have a chance at another championship. ”
But even when they win a championship will not be removed, that everything that happens otherwise.
“I think about the championship, if you have so many irregularities, he wise,” said Jansen. “This is a task force. We have a lot, but we have much