Lekic, Lima lead Truman to first Region 4 title

CHICAGO, ILL. & OTTUMWA, IOWA - Harry S. Truman College made their return to the soccer pitch a highly successful one in 2023, culminating in a NJCAA Region 4 Division I Men's Soccer Championship on October 28. The Falcons rolled to a 9-0 win over defending champion Malcolm X College. Freshman Bekir Lekic scored three goals, while sophomore Murilo Lima had a goal and two assists en route to being named Region 4 Tournament Most Valuable Player. Maciej Orlowski earned Region 4 Coach of the Year honors.

A casualty of the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic, Truman College men's soccer returned to competition in 2023. In the Region 4 championship against the Hawks, Lekic and company got right to work. Lekic scored three of the game's first four goals over at 28 minute stretch. Breno Queiroz's second goal in the 33' made it 5-0 at the half. The Falcons received goals from Pieter Gerritsen, Murilo Lima, Anthony Athanassopou, and Mohamed Taha Ouifak to reach the nine-goal diferential. Truman finished with a 19-3 edge in shots on goal en route to the shutout win. Goalkeepers Marco Scassa and Elio Di Gennaro combined for the clean sheet. (Box Score | Truman Recap)

The win advanced Truman College to the NJCAA Midwest District Tournament at Indian Hills Community College on November 3 & 5. The Falcons opened against the host Warriors, who were ranked #9 in the NJCAA Division I Poll, and fell behind 1-0 in the first half. Unfortunately, Truman College was unable to generate a comeback, and surrendered four second half goals en route to a 5-0 setback. The Falcons finished the season with a 7-3-3 record.

Region 4 Most Valuable Player
Murilo Lima - Harry S. Truman College

Region 4 Coach of the Year
Maciej Orlowski - Harry S. Truman College