Lincoln Memorial, Anderson Advance to SAC Soccer Championship Men’s Title Match

Lincoln Memorial and Anderson both needed extra time to reach the SAC Soccer Championship men's final, as LMU beat Carson-Newman in the 99th minute and Anderson outlasted Mars Hill in PKs.

Team Stats

November 2, 2012

 

No. 3 Lincoln Memorial 1, No. 2 Carson-Newman 0 (OT)

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Lincoln Memorial midfielder Diego Deschamp broke a scoreless tie in the 99th minute against Carson-Newman, sending the Railsplitters to Sunday's men's final of the 2012 Food Lion SAC Soccer Championship.

Deschamp's goal came on a corner pass from SAC Player of the Year Mario Pinto. It was the All-Conference Second Team selection's eighth goal this season and third game winner.

For 98 minutes, both LMU and Carson-Newman couldn't find the net despite multiple chances. The Eagles had 18 shots in the match, while the Railsplitters misfired on 16 before Deschamp's winner.

Pinto and forward Leonardo Germniani led LMU with four shots apiece. Defender Trystan Dafydd paced Anderson's offensive attack with four shots as well.

C-N keeper Rumwald Le Gueval – a member of the All-SAC First Team – finished with six saves, while LMU's Marcel Barwanietz stopped four shots.

LMU will be looking for its first Food Lion SAC Championship title since 2007 when it faces off against Anderson on Sunday. The Railsplitters beat AU 7-1 in their only prior meeting this season.

 

[RELATED: SAC Soccer Championship Central]

 

No. 5 Anderson 0, No. 1 Mars Hill 0 (Anderson wins 3-1 on PKs)

ROCK HILL, S.C. – After 110 scoreless minutes, Anderson goalkeeper Lukas Hesse stopped three Mars Hill penalty kicks, leading the Trojans to a berth in the 2012 Food Lion SAC Soccer Championship men's title match.

Fifth-seeded Anderson will be looking to win its third-straight SAC Championship title on Sunday against Lincoln Memorial.

Hesse, an All-SAC Second Team selection in 2012, allowed just one of MHC's penalty kicks to find the net, while Anderson connected on three of its four attempts. The senior was dominant in regulation and overtime as well, recording 10 saves.

Mars Hill, the No. 1 seed in the championship, held a 19-7 advantage in shots over AU but could never get on the board. Senior forward Shadi Harb – another member of the All-SAC Team -- led the Lions with six shots in the match.

Midfielder Ben Jones and defender Lars Zimmerman led the Anderson attack with two shots apiece.