Charleston, W.Va. - The University of Charleston Golden Eagles welcomed Felician University to the Welch Athletic Complex this past Sunday for an elite eight match up in the NCAA Division II national tournament.

The Basics:
Location: Welch Athletic Complex
Score: UC 2, FU 1 (OT)
Records: UC 21-1-1 (13-1-0 MEC), Felician 17-4-2 

How it Happened:
The Golden Falcons traveled to West Viriginia after getting past Post in a penalty shootout last weekend and were in a confident mood in the lead up to the game. In a first half in which the Golden Eagles dominated the ball, there were only two shots on target between the two sides, and it was Felician that took full advantage of theirs. In the 35th minute Nicholas Robinson got away from his marker from a corner and rose highest to head home at the riverside end to put the Golden Falcons ahead, having won the toss and deciding to attack the river first. Charleston seemed unfazed and continued to have far more possession in the lead up to the break, and just before time Jack Kay looked to be brought down by the Felician goalkeeper inside the area, but the referee waved play on. The Golden Falcons led the Golden Eagles 1-0 at half time.

Into the second half and Charleston continued to pile on the pressure, with Felician happy to camp on the edge of their own area. Center forward Jack Kay was unable to convert a couple of guilt edge chances to level it, and the referee for a second time waved away another penalty shout after what seemed to be a blatant handball in the area. The crowd could sense that it was only a matter of time and they were not wrong. Seven minutes from time, Hugo Prats Deusdad was released on the right-hand side after impressing since coming into the action, and he found Kay in the middle of the six-yard area. Kay's effort was blocked off the line, but it fell to Juan 'Bomba' Hermoso who made no mistake in smashing the ball into the back of the net to the relief of every Golden Eagle in attendance. Charleston were back level and were taking it to a tiring Felician side. Jack Kay was released down the left-hand side in 89th minute before taking the cleat of Alvaro Martin Castedo to the face, leaving him in a bloody mess. Castedo was rightfully sent off, leaving the Golden Falcons with just the ten as the game headed into overtime.

Into overtime and Hugo Prats Deusdad was terrorizing Felician's right hand side, with the likes of Joao Belmudes, Juan Hermoso, and Tomi Petrungaro also finding themselves in dangerous areas. The crowd were begging for a golden goal, and in the 95th minute, Belmudes gave them it. A cross was headed straight into his path by a Golden Falcons defender, and Belmudes stayed composed to toe poke it, with the aid of a small deflection, into the top right corner, sending Felician home, Charleston through, and the WAC into hysteria.

A 62nd win from a possible 63 at the WAC in Head Coach Daniel Smee's 100th game in charge sends the Golden Eagles to the final four for the first time since 2021. 

Up Next:
Charleston is the #1 ranked team and will face #4 Colorado State University Pueblo in the first of two semi finals on Thursday December 12th in Matthews, NC. Kick off is scheduled for 3pm.