Matthews, NC. - The University of Charleston Golden Eagles fought for the Division II National Championship this past Saturday in Matthews, NC, facing Lynn University.
The Basics:
Location: Sportsplex at Matthews
Score: UC 2, Lynn 3
Records: UC 22-2-1 (13-1-0 MEC), Lynn 20-0-2
How it Happened:
The first shot of the game fell to Charleston's number 9 Jack Kay, but it was Lynn who opened the scoring. Luis Kiefer was played in behind the UC defense and he finished brilliantly past Nicolai Gundersen in goal. The Fighting Knights looked to break up the play as much as they could, beginning early on with a number of fouls and this continued throughout. After a Fighting Knight went down injured after conceding a corner, he was questionably allowed back onto the field by the referee at the halfway line and was found on the counter attack, before going on to slot away Lynn's second. Lynn were not finished before half time either, as they went 3-0 up less than two minutes later as Tony Gomez finished well at the 30th minute mark. The scoreline stayed 3-0 heading into half time.
Into the second half and the Golden Eagles come out fighting, however unlikely a revival seemed. They dominated the ball, winning balls bravely in transition moments and conjuring up a number of chances. In the 53rd minute, they pulled one back from the penalty spot after João Silva looked to be brought down. Joao Belmudes stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way and give the boys in white a lifeline. They continued to push for another, and nine minutes from time they got it. João Silva got a flick on a Michail Tselios cross following a short corner to make it 3-2 and set up a huge finale to the season. The Golden Eagles pushed hard and created a couple of chances to equalize and send the game into overtime. Jack Kay was unable to convert from a Franco Tradatti cross after some last ditch Fighting Knights defending, and Hugo Prats Deusdad connected almost too well when the ball dropped to him at the back post, with his shot also being blocked. As the final whistle went, the Fighting Knights were crowned National Champions. This Golden Eagles side fought bravely and overcome adversity countless times throughout the season, and were unlucky not to get over the last hurdle in front of them.
UC finish the season with a record of 22-2-1, and with three trophies under their belt: The Mountain East Conference Regular Season, the Mountain East Conference Tournament, and the Super Region I Title. Thank you to the Golden Eagle family for the support shown to the group throughout the season, and to the team for adding more history to this fantastic program.
