Men’s soccer team goes to final four

By Nathan Walls
Staff Writer

To say the game was a low scoring thriller would be an understatement.

Especially the second half.

The UNCP men's soccer team advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four for the first time in school history with a 1-0 quarterfinal win over the unranked Bears of Central Arkansas (11-6-3).

A goal in the 81st minute by senior forward Sascha Gorres setup a national semifinal match with sixth ranked Southern Illinois-Edwardsville in Wichita Falls, Texas on Dec. 3.

The Southern Illinois-Edwardsville Cougars were 3-2 winners over 14th ranked Tusculum in their quarterfinal.

The winner of the semifinal will play for the national championship at the same site Dec. 5.

The Braves (16-2), fifth in the nation, were rattled by Central Arkansas' midfield until midway through the second half.

UNCP began to wear down the middle and position itself for much better shots than they were afforded during the first half.

Sophomore forward Trond Myrland launched two shots over the cross bar from close range and senior midfielder Ali Erdal rain-bowed a ball over the right corner of Central Arkansas' goal that was just inches from scoring.

Minutes later Gorres took a pass from senior midfielder Thomas Lindal at the left of the box, beat the Central Arkansas' defense and looped a shot around the right side of goalkeeper Ian Goodman for the only score.

The Braves' sideline exploded, realizing the importance of such a late goal on Goodman, who had four saves.

“When you are in a close game like this, you must move the ball in when you have a chance,” Gorres said.

UNCP was fortunate that was the only goal. The Bears watched several opportunities get turned away by Braves goalkeeper freshman Richard Sallin.

The closest call for the Bears came in the 64th minute when Sallin pushed a solid shot from forward Ryan McKean over the cross bar. Sallin's stop, one of five saves, came off a one-on-one showdown.

“I saw it all the way. He settled it and took a quick shot," Sallin said. “I just happened to be there and saved it quickly.”

Other opportunities for the Bears were lost by forced, errant shots.

“We felt a lot of times we had good sequences created,” Central Arkansas Coach Chad Flanders said.

“If we would have changed those sequences we might be celebrating. Unfortunately, they are,” Flanders added.

Head Coach Mike Schaeffer felt his team was timid in the scoreless first half.

“We were really, really nervous,” Schaeffer said.

“We got into too much of a long ball game. It took a little time to settle in. I was thankful to get into halftime 0 to 0.”

Schaeffer thought both teams were deserving of a trip to the Final Four.

“Either team could have won the game easily,” Schaeffer said.

“Both teams battled hard and both keepers played well…the goal came at a time that basically broke their hearts.”

For senior mid-fielder Thomas Lindal the victory couldn't have been any sweeter.

“It's amazing,” Lindal said. “I really don't realize it right now, but we've got two more steps to get to the ultimate goal.”

We wish the Braves’ men’s soccer team the best luck and continued success as they prepare to make their way to take on the Cougars.