Lincoln Memorial Advances To Men’s Soccer Final Four

WILDER, KY - For the second straight year, Lincoln Memorial University will play in the NCAA Division II men's soccer national semifinals. For the second straight year, they defeated Northern Kentucky University on the road. And for the second straight year, it was by a 2-1 score.

In the 18th minute, Pedro Canineu picked up a ball and went streaking down the right side and attempted a centering pass 15 yards off the end line. The pass was deflected up by the NKU defense, but right to LMU's Nelson Pizarro, who headed the ball to the left post past Norse keeper Michael Lavric for the early 1-0 lead.

Both teams played a physical match, with three cards issued between the teams in the six minutes following the goal. NKU's Braden Bishop and Steven Beattie each were booked for hard fouls, as was LMU's Gavin MacLeod.

It took the Norse just 10 minutes to equalize the score off the boot of Tony Capurro. The play started with Dan Impellizzeri's takeaway in his own defensive end. He sent the ball ahead to Tony Ray, who flicked it back to Impellizzeri to continue his run. As the senior approached the 18-yard box, he passed across to a wide-open Capurro. The shot came as a lob, just outside of the reach of LMU's Brent Cole for his fourth marker of the season.

Pizarro provided the difference in the 71st when Leandro Pereira evaded the Norse defense and sent a through pass ahead for Pizarro. As the ball spun forward, Lavric left his net in an effort to retrieve the ball, but Pizarro got there first and lifted the ball past the freshman for his second of the day and 15th of the season.

Cole was tested early and often for LMU (19-3-1), making nine saves in the victory. Lavric saved one shot for NKU (22-2).

Lincoln Memorial advances to play Montevallo in the semifinals, scheduled for Nov. 30. The Division II national championship game will take place Dec. 2 at 1 p.m., and will be televised on CSTV.