The Drury Panthers reached the GLVC Championship match this season, losing to the Quincy Hawks in OT. Drury finished 13-8-0, as a young squad that coach Ryan Swan heralded as one of the best incoming groups in the league – with seven freshmen in the regular playing rotation – arrived a little ahead of schedule, advancing to the league championship game for the second time in three years.
Post-season awards were recently announced by Head Coach Ryan Swan as part of the Alumni game festivities.
Sophomore Matt Hutchison (CBC) was named MVP. Hutchison led the Panthers with six goals and fifteen points, including game winners at Southern Indiana on September 18 and vs. Bellarmine on September 25. He was second on the Panthers with three assists, with those coming in games at William Jewell, at Kentucky Wesleyan and at Saint Joseph’s.
Freshman Scott Stiffler (St Dominic) had the Goal of the Year. It came in the GLVC Championship opening game against Northern Kentucky. The Norse, the top-ranked team in the latest NCAA-II Midwest Region rankings, were tied 1-1, but Drury countered when Stiffler – the hero with his goal in the 88th minute in Drury’s 1-0 win at Missouri S & T Wednesday that was necessary for the Panthers even to make the GLVC Tourney field – scored again.
This time, Stiffler connected from 30 yards out to inside the left post for his second career goal. I can’t find a video of the goal, if anyone can point me to one, let me know!
Sophomore defender Pedro Rivera was recognized with the Panther Award. Rivera is from Guatemala City where he attended the American School of Guatemala.
Other area players to feature this year for the Panthers include senior GK Stephen Conner (Glendale), sophomore Brett Murray (New Covenant) along with freshmen Dylan Corbett (Kickapoo) and Reece Conner (Glendale).
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