Coker Completes Cinderella Story and Becomes 2021 SAC Men's Soccer Champions
MATTHEWS, N.C. (TheSAC.com) – Coker's Markos Touroukis found the back of the net in the 105th minute of action to give the No. 8 seed Coker Cobras a 2-1 double-overtime win over the No. 6 seed Mars Hill Lions on Sunday (Nov. 14) in the South Atlantic Conference Men's Soccer Championship Final. The Cobras completed their Cinderella story with the win and became the 2021 SAC Men's Soccer Champions.
In a very tight and hard-fought match, it was Mars Hill that struck first as SAC Freshman of the Year, Kevonte Willoughby-Williams scored in the 14th minute of play with assists from Peter Plougmand and Sebastian Bertilsson. The score would remain 1-0 in favor of the Lions through the first half and most of the second half.
Coker finally got on the board in the 69th minute with a goal from Jacques Fokam-Sandeu and an assist from Gustavo Palmieri. The Cobras had several chances in the final minutes of play, but a solid Lion defense was able to keep the score tied at one and send it to overtime.
The first overtime period was a back-and-forth battle as both teams had chances but were unable to capitalize, forcing a second overtime. The second overtime looked to be much of the same, but Touroukis was able to take a pass from Fokam-Sandeu and slip the game-winner past the Lion defense for the win.
Sokam-Sandeu finished the night with three points off a goal and an assist. He was also awarded the tournament's Most Valuable Player award and was named to the All-Tournament team. Also taking home All-Tournament team honors for Coker were Touroukis, Gabin Guillou, and Bastiaan Jager.
Earning All-Tournament honors for the Lions were Willoughby-Williams, Plougmand, and Jeppe Christensen.
In addition to winning the SAC Championship, the Cobras earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship. The Cobras will find out who they will play in the opening round on Monday (Nov. 15) during the NCAA Selection Show at 6:30 p.m.
Full 2021 SAC Men's Soccer Championship All-Tournament Team:
Harry Ward, Anderson
Johann Martino, Anderson
Andrew Twamley, Catawba
Gianluca Tommasi, Catawba
Kevonte Willoughby-Williams, Mars Hill
Peter Plougmand, Mars Hill
Jeppe Christensen, Mars Hill
Jacques Fokam-Sandeu, Coker (MVP)
Markos Touroukis, Coker
Gabin Guillou, Coker
Bastiaan Jager, Coker
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