Martinsville, Va. - The 2nd-seeded Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan will play for the USA South Tournament Championship after advancing past 3rd-seeded Methodist 4-3 in penalty kicks on Friday night at the Smith River Soccer Complex. Bishop keeper Alberto Faisca made two crucial saves in PKs to set up Ritchie Duffie's match-clincher.
The Monarchs and Bishops had played 110 minutes of scoreless soccer, combining for 10 shots on goal, before the shootout began.
In the shootout, Wesleyan found itself behind following the second round. MU keeper Kyle Beach stopped NCWC's second attempt, putting the Monarchs in the advantage position. Unfortunately for the Methodist faithful, Faisca returned the favor against Pat Vancura on the very next shot to keep his side in it.
Faisca proceeded to come up with a second save, this one on Shane Davis, to set up Duffie's match-clinching goal. Beach got a hand on Duffie's shot, but the blast found its way into the back of the net to send the Bishops into the tournament championship.
Methodist (11-4-2) outshot NCWC 15-7 for the game and had two of the game's three corners. Beach made three saves and Faisca six.
NCWC (7-4-6) will play top-seeded Christopher Newport on Saturday at 5 p.m. in the championship contest. The winner of that game claims the league's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
SHOOTOUT
Methodist
1. Nordseth - good
2. Newton -good
3. Vancura - saved
4. McGinnis - good
5. Davis - saved
Wesleyan
1. DeLaCueva - good
2. Wolf - saved
3. White - good
4. Unitt - good
5. Duffie - good