Lincoln Memorial, Carson-Newman Advance In NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. -- Nelson Pizarro recorded a goal and an assist as top-seeded Lincoln Memorial University defeated number four seed Wingate University 2-1 Friday in the opening match of the 2007 NCAA Division II Appalachian Region Men's Soccer tournament. The event is being held at Pioneer Field on the campus of Tusculum College.

The Railsplitters (17-3-1 overall) advance to Sunday's region final against the winner of Friday night's Tusculum/Carson-Newman match.

Wingate (16-5-1 overall) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute as freshman midfielder Luke Mulholland (Preston, England) connected on his 10th goal of the season on a pass by freshman midfielder Stephen Kehoe (Newry, Ireland).

LMU tallied the equalizer at the 36:00 mark when Leonardo de Barros blasted a shot from 20 yards out that deflected off a Wingate player to the foot of Pizarro. He deposited the shot into the right corner of the goal for his 12th scoring tally of the year. Pizarro's goal helped the Railsplitters tie the score at halftime 1-1.

At the 54:56 mark, Pereira broke the deadlock with his 23rd goal of the season. The goal was assisted by Guilherme Alves and Pizarro.

LMU had another golden scoring chance in the 68th minute as Leonardo de Barros blasted a shot from top of the penalty box, but an acrobatic save by Wingate freshman goalkeeper Joey Calandra (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) kept the deficit at one goal.

The save of the night came from LMU senior netminder Brent Cole. In the 72nd minute, Mulholland bent a shot heading for the left corner of the goal. Cole made a beautiful kick save, maintaining the LMU lead. Cole finished the evening with three saves, while Calandra recorded seven stops.

"We played a disciplined match this evening, while defeating a very good Wingate team," said LMU head coach Helio D'Anna. "Both keepers played extremely well and kept their teams in the match. I'm very proud how our team stepped up tonight."

"I'm very disappointed with how our season ended tonight, but I'm extremely proud and happy in how our team performed this season," Wingate head coach Gary Hamill said. "We put 10 freshmen, one sophomore and three seniors out there tonight. I was pleased with our performance."

Wingate vs Lincoln Memorial (11/9/07 at Greeneville, Tenn.)

Wingate (16-5-1) vs. Lincoln Memorial (17-3-1)
Date: Nov 09, 2007 Attendance: 80

Goals by period 1 2 Tot
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Wingate............. 1 0 - 1
Lincoln Memorial.... 1 1 - 2

SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 28:47 WU Luke Mulholland (10) (Stephen Kehoe)
2. 36:00 LMU Nelson Pizarro (12) (Leonardo de Barros)
3. 54:56 LMU Leandro Pereira (23) (Pizarro; G. Alves)

Shots: Wingate 13, Lincoln Memorial 14
Saves: Wingate 7 (Joey Calandra 7), LMU 3 (Brent Cole 3)

Carson-Newman 3, Tusculum 1

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Omar Cooke recorded a pair of goals, including the match-winner in the 78th minute as No. 3 seed Carson-Newman defeated second-seeded Tusculum 3-1 Friday night in a first round match of the 2007 NCAA Division II Appalachian Region Men's Soccer Tournament, held at TC's Pioneer Field

Carson-Newman (13-3-1) punches its ticket for Sunday's region final against top-seeded Lincoln Memorial at 1 p.m. Tusculum ends its season at 11-9-2.

Cooke got the Eagles on the scoreboard in the 28th minute when he dribbled through three Tusculum defenders and punch a shot to the right side of the goal for a 1-0 lead.

Tusculum got the equalizer in the second half when Bruno Conceicão bended a shot to the high right corner for his 21st goal of the season. The score was assisted by Enrique Haeussler.

The score would remain tied until the 77:57 mark as Cooke beat TC keeper Lance Moore with a blast to the lower right corner and a 2-1 advantage. The Eagles added an insurance goal when an Eagle was fouled hard in the penalty box in the 86th minute. Lance Moore stopped Jakop Storhaug's penalty kick, but Faisal knocked in the rebound for the final margin of victory.

Lance Moore finished with three saves, while Carson-Newman's Jonathan Moore made three stops.

"We played very aggressive throughout tonight's match," said C-N coach Allen Vital. "We kept up our intensity level all during the match and it made the difference. We will have are hands full, facing LMU again, but I feel we can answer the challenge."

"This was disappointing end to a remarkable season," said TC coach Brett Teach. "Not many had us getting to this point, but our players believed in what we are trying to do and I'm so proud of them, especially our seniors."

Soccer Game Summary (Final)
2007 Tusculum College Men's Soccer
Carson-Newman vs Tusculum (Nov 09, 2007 at Greenville, Tenn.)

Carson-Newman (13-3-1) vs. Tusculum (11-9-2)
Date: Nov 09, 2007 Attendance: 100
Weather:
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
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Carson-Newman....... 1 2 - 3
Tusculum............ 0 1 - 1

SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 27:07 C-N Omar Cooke (8) (unassisted)
2. 53:30 TCM Bruno Conceicao (21) (Enrique Haeussler) - high right corner
3. 77:57 C-N Omar Cooke (9) (unassisted)
4. 85:59 C-N Faisal Chisbsah (unassisted) - rebound after pk
Shots: Carson-Newman 10, Tusculum 10
Saves: Carson-Newman 3 (Jonathan Moore 3), Tusculum 2 (Lance Moore 2)