Carey went out to Martin Methodist in the first round of the nationals by a score of 2-1. The Redwings were then beaten by #1 ranked Lindsey Wilson College (3-1) who went on to claim the national title. Weeks earlier the Crusaders had downed the Blue Raiders in Hattiesburg by a score of 3-2.

"We should be confident that we can do even better next season", said coach Nigel Boulton, "but we must not simply expect to do better, we have to work harder than ever at improving and maximizing our potential to ensure we are better".

Next fall the Crusaders will leave the GCAC and play in the highly competitive Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) along with Belhaven College, the Mobile Rams and Spring Hill College who are also departing the GCAC. These four will join current SSAC members, Faulkner University and Auburn University-Montgomery in a new SSAC Western Division. Four of the six teams have been regularly ranked in the national poll over the past years, only Faulkner and Spring Hill lagging. It will make for a hugely competitive division.

In the east, Lee University, Southern Polytechnic and Shorter College are also strong national contenders and have been ranked themselves in the immmediate past few years. They match up with Emmanuel, Brewton-Parker and another newcomer, Truett-McConnell. This gives the SSAC a strong two division, twelve team make-up. It should be a very interesting season of soccer in the expanded SSAC.

Next fall the Crusaders will play their divisional rivals, Belhaven, AUM and Faulkner at home but will travel to Mobile and Spring Hill. They will also travel out of division to play at Lee University and Southern Polytechnic.