Box Score Jeremy Zalacca - Director of Athletic Communications
MISENHEIMER, N.C. - Facing their first deficit in eight games, the No. 1 Pfeiffer men's soccer team (21-0) rallied to score two goals in a 1:26 span late in the second half to defeat the No. 5 seed Wingate (14-4-4) by a final score of 2-1. With the win, the Falcons advance to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament and secure just their second NCAA Tournament victory in school history.
Wingate held a 1-0 lead thanks to a penalty kick goal by Callum Ross in the 50th minute. The last time Pfeiffer faced a deficit in a contest was against Erksine on Oct. 17, but the Falcons would rally. After a couple close calls, including a goal being called off due to offsides, the Falcons would even the contest in the 82nd minute. Roberto Soares took a through ball from Martim Galvao and connected for his seventh strike of the season. Before the Bulldogs could regroup, the Falcons were on the attack once again. Galvao sent a shot in that hit off the crossbar but Nathan Regis headed the rebound into an open net for his 26th goal of the season.
With Galvao's two assists on the game, the sophomore pulls just within one assist of tying the all-time record for most helpers in a season. Galvao currently sits at 17 on the year, trailing only Danny Smith in 1965.
Tomas Correa improved to 12-0 in goal as the freshman made three saves. Pfeiffer held a 20-12 advantage in shots and a 6-2 lead in corner kicks. Wingate was whistled for 23 fouls and were given four yellow cards on the day.
"First of all, you have to credit Wingate," commented Head Coach Bob Reasso. "They played a great game and are really well coached. We struggled in the first half but played like ourselves in the second half. At the end of the day, I think we were the better team and we deserved to move on,"
Pfeiffer will advance as the No. 1 seed and play Young Harris in a rematch of last year's NCAA Second Round game. Game date and time is to be determined.
