Box Score WINGATE, N.C. - The defending national champions were dethroned on Friday night as the Pfeiffer men's soccer team (19-3) dropped a 1-0 decision at Wingate (16-1) in the Southeast Regional Final. The Bulldogs move on to the Elite Eight with the victory and are the first team to hold Pfeiffer scoreless since Young Harris accomplished the feat 47 matches ago.
The first half was a scoreless hard fought period. The Falcons held a 6-2 shot advantage in attempts with Martim Galavo having two. Galvao had the best opportunity on his shot from 20 yards out nut Wingate's keeper Pablo Jara made a diving safe to keep the match even. Jara recorded five saves in the half. The Bulldogs took the first shot of the half at the 17 minute mark, Pfeiffer rattled off the next five shots four of which were placed on goal.
Wingate struck first in 62nd minute, when Aksel Juul flicked the ball over a Falcon defender kept control and arched the ball into the back of the net. The Falcons had a number of excellent chances late in in the second half but narrowly missed. At the 65 minute mark, Galvao sent a shot in but Bulldog keeper Jara made another tremendous diving save. Santi Moar had a pair of attempt at the equalizer in the final 10 minutes of play. One hit the post inches from the goal line and bounced out. In total, the Falcons hit the woodwork twice in the closing moments of the match.
On the night, Pfeiffer held a 12-4 advantage in shots and a 7-2 lead in corner kicks. The Falcons dominated the possession most of the evening but came up inches short of tying the match. Jara was sensational in goal, making seven saves to improve to 16-1.
The loss wraps up another tremendous soccer season in Misenheimer. The Falcons will finish the year with 100 goals and will go down as the seventh highest scoring team in Division II history. The program will transition to Division III competition next season and will do so without 18 seniors from this year's squad. Thanks to the contributions of those seniors, Pfeiffer soccer soared to unmatched heights.
