Box Score Jeremy Zalacca - Director of Athletic Communications
MISENHEIMER, N.C. - The No. 1 Pfeiffer men's soccer team (19-0) defeated Mount Olive (8-9-1) by a final score of 3-1 to advance to their second consecutive Conference Carolinas Tournament Championship match. A year ago, Pfeiffer defeated Lees-McRae in penalty kicks to capture the crown. This year, they will have to go through No. 2 seed Limestone.
In a physical contest, the Falcons proved too much for the Trojans in front of a large and energetic crowd at N.E. Lefko Field. Just 8:03 into the match, Jaime Siaj scored his 14th goal of the season on Martim Galvao's 15th helper of the year to put Pfeiffer up early. In the 26th minute, Nathan Regis capitalized on a hand ball in the box that resulted in a PK as the junior beat the keeper for his 24th strike of the season. The half would end with the Falcons up 2-0.
Mount Olive cut the lead in half in the 57th minute as Cooper Gaypia rebounded a shot from Stefan Faria and found the back of the net to make the contest 2-1. The game would get physical down the stretch resulting in two red cards for the Trojans who were also booked for five yellows on the night. Trojans keeper Nick Bersndorf made a handful of big saves, including one off Regis' second PK of the night, that kept Mount Olive within striking distance. However, Martim Galvao put the game out of reach in the 85th minute on one of the prettiest goals of the season. After a foul resulted in a direct kick, Galvao took his shot from 35 yards out and bent it perfectly in the top right corner to thwart any ideas of an upset by the visitors.
Tomas Correa improved to 10-0 on the year as he made three saves in goal. Pfeiffer held a 26-10 lead in shots and a 12-2 advantage in corner kicks on the evening. Bernsdorf made 14 saves in a valiant effort for the underdogs.
The win improves Pfeiffer's overall record against Mount Olive to 15-5-1 dating back to the 1998 season. Earlier this year, Pfeiffer defeated Mount Olive 2-0 at Amon Field.
With three goals tonight, Pfeiffer has recorded 68 on the season. That total is good for second in program history and trails only the 1975 Falcons who scored 90 times.
Tonight's win sets up a dramatic Championship on Sunday at 4 p.m. on Lefko Field against the Saints. Earlier this year, Pfeiffer defeated Limestone 2-1 on Saints Field in overtime. The winner of Sunday's clash earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament which opens next weekend.
