Matthews, NC. - The University of Charleston Golden Eagles travelled to Matthews, NC this week for the Final Four of the NCAA Division II National Championship.
The Basics:
Location: Sportsplex at Matthews
Score: UC 3, CSUP 2
Records: UC 22-1-1 (13-1-0 MEC), CSU Pueblo17-4-3
How it Happened:
CSU Pueblo were their semi final opponent this past Thursday, after the Thunderwolves shrugged off Fort Lewis in the quarter final. Early on in this contest, CSU Pueblo used their long throw from the right-hand side to their advantage, launching it into the Golden Eagles penalty area. Eventually, in the 18th minute, one came off. Jose Bustamante got on the end of the throw at the back post to nestle the ball into the bottom left corner of Kostis Parisis' goal. Seven minutes later, UC were level with their top scorer this season Joao Belmudes getting the leveler. Jose Suarez Monaco delivered the ball into the box from the right-hand side and as it was cleared, Sam Newell won a challenge. The ball fell to Belmudes, and he whipped the ball into the bottom right-hand corner. The scoreline remained 1-1 heading into half time.
Into the second half and the Thunderwolves came out the blocks quickest. The Golden Eagles assumed another long throw was coming, but Pueblo went short and caught them off guard to go 2-1 into the lead just 71 seconds into the half. UC began to establish possession again, and Tomas Petrungaro played Caio Moraes in the box before he was brought down by a Thunderwolves defender. The referee pointed to the spot and up stepped Jose Suarez Monaco, sending the keeper the wrong way and levelling the game. With 65 minutes on the clock, Charleston were awarded a free kick just inside the CSU Pueblo half. Franco Tradatti took it and Paul Hoste got on the end of it, playing the ball across the goal mouth for Jack Kay to loop it over the keeper and put Charleston into the lead for the first time. The drama wasn't over just yet though. With 17 minutes left on the clock, Kostis Parisis came out to clear a ball which was played over the UC defense and caught the Thunderwolves forward with two covering defenders behind him. The referee initially gave him a yellow card which looked to be the correct decision, but after a consultation with VAR, upgraded the yellow to a straight red, leaving the Golden Eagles with 10 men for the remainder of the semifinal. The boys in white dug deep and managed to see out the game, winning 3-2 and making it into the National Championship game for the first time since 2021.
Up Next:
Charleston celebrated with a fantastic traveling support and will now play this Saturday, December 14th in the final of the National Tournament against Lynn University. Kick off is scheduled for 3pm.
