Charleston, W.Va. - The University of Charleston Golden Eagles welcomed Concord to the WAC this past Sunday for the Mountain East Conference Tournament Final.
The Basics:
Location:Welch Athletic Complex
Score: UC 2, CU 1
Records: Charleston 16-0-4 (11-0-3 MEC) Concord 13-4-3 (10-3-1 MEC)
How it Happened:
The two sides met eleven days prior with neither side coming out on top, and so this contest was going to be a close one. The Golden Eagles started the game better and had two early chances through Martin Echarren, but Nathan Scargill was on hand to deny him on both occasions in goal for the Mountain Lions. In between those, a mix up at the back allowed Concord a sight at goal but Jaden McKree couldn't convert. It didn't take much longer to break the deadlock though, as Leonardo Dutra's corner found the head of Jack Allan and he made no mistake in firing the Golden Eagles into an early lead with his second goal of the season. Echarren then had his third chance of the game within the first seventeen minutes, but Scargill was once again in the way, and then one more five minutes later with the same outcome. Going into the break the Golden Eagles had a slender 1-0 advantage to show in a half which should have produced more goals.
Into the second half and it was the Mountain Lions who struck next eight minutes after the restart. A sloppy giveaway and a poor clearance led to Dominique Malhomme expertly rifling an equalizer into the top right corner of Konstantinos Parisis' net, leaving him with no chance. Malhomme then had another chance just before the hour mark from a corner but blazed over. It was a costly miss as just two minutes later, Charleston retook the lead. Allan Logrillo's ball into the area set up Tomas Petrungaro for a bicycle kick, and when his effort was blocked, Martin Echarren was on hand to finish into the top right corner to make it 2-1 and set up an interesting final thirty minutes. The Mountain Lions however were unable to muster up an effort during this time thanks to some astute Charleston defending, and it was the Golden Eagles that came closest to scoring again as Logrillo's drilled effort was palmed over, Joao Silva couldn't keep a header under the crossbar, and Petrungaro's effort from 25 yards also sailed over. The Golden Eagles saw out the game to claim victory and win their second trophy of the season, and their 40th conference trophy overall.
Up Next:
The University of Charleston will find out their next opponent at 7pm on Monday November 17 when the NCAA Selection Show announces the Division II Men's Soccer National Championship bracket.
