Versos help Stanford men’s soccer team capture first NCAA championship
Standing on the wet field with confetti falling at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas, Eric and Mark Verso had the pleasure of sharing a historic moment.
The brothers, who starred at St. Francis High, helped the Stanford University men’s soccer team win its first NCAA Division I championship after the Cardinal posted a 4-0 victory against Clemson on Sunday in the rain.
“To win a championship is something that’s absolutely incredible,” said Eric Verso, a redshirt senior midfielder who assisted on the winning goal by Jordan Morris just 87 seconds into the contest. “It’s something that we’ve worked on for the past four years and it’s special to hold the trophy and have Mark there with me.
“It’s just something special to know you had a hand in winning the championship.”
Eric Verso, a former All-Area Boys’ Soccer Player of the Year, contributed one goal and one assist to conclude a phenomenal season. Mark Verso, a junior forward and former All-Area selection, collected one shot. Stanford finished 18-2-3.
Stanford, which advanced to the championship match after beating Akron, 0-0 (8-7), in a semifinal match Friday, received two goals from Morris and one each from Brandon Vincent and Eric Verso on Sunday. Stanford, coached by Jeremy Gunn, matched the record for largest margin of victory in a College Cup final. St. Louis set the mark with a 4-0 national championship victory against San Francisco in 1969. San Francisco also earned a 4-0 win against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1975.
“You think about it and it’s an awesome feeling,” Mark Verso said. “It’s something you are going to remember the rest of your life and it’s special to be there alongside your brother because it’s something we can cherish the rest of our lives.
“It’s great to have an opportunity be a part of such a great team.”
Stanford made it 2-0 on a goal by Morris in the 50th minute. The Cardinal took a 3-0 lead on a penalty shot by Vincent in the 70th minute before Eric Verso capped the scoring with a shot inside the right post about three minutes later.
“I got the ball right around midfield and started heading toward the goal,” Eric Verso said. “I got off a good shot and it went in.”
Veteran St. Francis Coach Glen Appels said the Versos competing in the title match ignited discussion on campus.
“It’s exciting for them to take the next step to college and do well,” Appels said. “In the teachers’ lounge and the administration building, a lot of people were talking about the game.
“The Versos are terrific people and fine players. They are different types of players in terms of style. It’s a testimony to how hard they work and are dedicated to being student-athletes.”
Eric Verso was selected to the all-tournament team.
Eric Verso finished the season with two goals and 13 assists for 17 points in 23 matches. His 13 assists tied him with teammate Corey Baird for the team-high and with West Virginia’s Joey Piatczyc for second in NCAA Division I. Mark Verso had one assist in 14 contests.
