Pilots take down Northwood to clinch post season berth
October 27, 2012
CEDAR HILL, Tex. - The LSU Shreveport men's soccer team clinched their berth in this year's Red River Athletic Conference Tournament with a 2-1 win on the road over the Northwood Knights on Saturday afternoon. The win should have locked up the fourth spot in the RRAC standings which would mean the Pilots will host next week's first round game. The opponent will be determined, along with the official standings, at the conclusions of today's RRAC schedule.
Northwood (7-7-2, 6-3-2 RRAC) edged closer to the Pilots with a goal from Juan Cruz during the 76th minute, taking advantage of the Pilots being a man down after Nelson Zelaya received a double yellow putting the Pilots a man down for the final 20 minutes of the contest. The LSUS defense stood tall and held off the Knights for the win.
LSUS (12-5-1, 7-3-1 RRAC) had another outstanding game in goal from their keeper Lance Quini who made seven saves including one diving save stopping for Pilot Leonardo Reyes from scoring a goal. NU outshot the Pilots 16-12.
The Pilots scored first with William Awagu and Juan Gutierrez-Rojas assisting Rodrigo Pontes who kicked it in with his left foot for the early 1-0 lead. Two minutes later defender Nate Gurinsky sent a long pass to Awagu who worked his way around the Northwood keeper for the score and a two-goal advantage for the Pilots.
The Knights outshot the Pilots in the first half of play 9-8 as Lance Quini made four saves in the half for the Pilots.
LSUS will advance to the RRAC Tournament and they will host the #5 seed which looks like it will be Northwood. The game will be scheduled for the end of next week.
