David Boyce | NCAA.com
Kansas City, Mo. — The way Charleston (W.Va.) applied pressure on Rockhurst defense throughout the first half, the Golden Eagles' one-goal deficit didn't look daunting.
Charleston's constant pressure bore fruit early in the second half. The Golden Eagles scored two goals early in the second half and beat Rockhurst 2-1 Thursday afternoon in the semifinals of the Division II Men's Soccer Championship at Swope Soccer Village.
"I thought we played well," said Charleston coach Chris Grassie, who earned his 100th career victory. "We created so many chances in the first half that I thought we should have put away. I told the offense we just got to keep going and it will come."
It was like a home game for Rockhurst. The campus is only 5 miles away from Swope Soccer Village. Fans from Rockhurst filled the stands and they were vocal throughout the game.
"I really enjoyed the crowd," said Charleston junior forward Will Roberts. "We almost came in as the villains as you would say. I like crowds against me. It brings out my best."
Charleston, 19-2-2, will take on Wingate, 18-1, noon CT Saturday in the championship game. It is the second time in three years that Charleston will play for a national championship.
"Congratulations to Charleston," said Rockhurst coach Tony Tocco. "They scored two goals and we scored one. Our kids gave everything they had."
The Golden Eagles wasted little time tying the game in the second half. Less than 4 minutes into the second half, Roberts scored on an assist from senior Jermaine Windster.
"We knew we were on top in the first half," Roberts said. "They only had one chance in the first half. Personally, I thought I could have put away a couple of chances.
"At halftime, we rallied behind each other. We always come back harder in the second half. I knew we had goals in us. I had no doubt we would score."
Nearly six minutes after Roberts' score, Windster once again assisted on a goal. Taking advantage of the pass was senior midfielder Felipe Antonio, who headed the ball into the goal.
"It was very important for us to score early in the second half," Windster said. "They had the crowd behind them. We want to make them quiet as soon as possible."
Rockhurst senior defender Evan Craig said the sun played a factor in those goals.
"The sun was definitely a huge issue the first five minutes," Craig said. "That is what it came down to of us not playing the way we should. It was pretty frustrating. Both goals were similar in nature. I give them credit. They finished their opportunities."
The second goal held up, but there were a few heart-stopping moments for Charleston in the final 15 minutes.
Three times Rockhurst had a shot at tying the game.
"I wasn't really worried," Grassie said. "We had as many opportunities on the counter attacks."
In the first half, Charleston had six corner kicks compared to none for Rockhurst in the first half. The Golden Eagles also outshot Rockhurst 8-4. But Rockhurst went into halftime with a 1-0 lead because senior forward Mitch Moncada mad the most of his opportunity.
With 12 minutes remaining in the first half, Moncada broke free of Charleston's midfielders just beyond midfield and raced towards the goal. The only thing left between him and scoring a goal was Charleston goalkeeper Paulo Pita. Moncada won this battle and gave Rockhurst a 1-0 lead.
