Francis Marion stuns Carson-Newman 4-3 with miraculous rally

By: Michael Hawkins, Francis Marion

JEFFERSON CITY, TN – Junior midfielder Kyle Clinton scored an unassisted goal in the second overtime period to give Francis Marion University a miraculous come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Carson-Newman College, Wednesday night (Nov. 12) in an opening-round match of the NCAA Division II National Men’s Soccer Tournament.

Francis Marion trailed 3-0 with 30 minutes remaining and rallied to force overtime when junior midfielder Alden Brooks scored an unassisted goal with 22 seconds left in regulation. His shot from the top of the box was deflected twice before finding its way into the net.

The Patriots (14-4-3), now unbeaten in 15 straight matches, advance to face fifth-ranked Tusculum College (18-2-1) in Greeneville, Tenn. on Friday at 7 p.m. in the Southeast Regional’s’ second semifinal match. Limestone College, a 2-1 winner over Lander University on Wednesday, will play Lees-McRae College in the first semifinal at 4 p.m. The region title match will be played on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Carson-Newman (11-5-2) took a 2-0 lead at halftime following first-half goals from Omar Cooke and Robert Hill. A score by Marcus Cabralis in the 54th minute increased the margin to 3-0.

Clinton finally got the Patriots on the board with a penalty kick at the 60:31 mark, following a handball in the box. Freshman Adrian Sikorski scored on a Chris Foltanski assist at 72:47 to draw FMU to within one goal at 3-2. Brooks then capped the comeback with his score at the 89:38 mark.

After a scoreless first 10-minute overtime period that saw only three shorts, all by FMU, but none on-goal, Clinton collected a free ball in front of the Eagles’ goal and completed the Patriot rally with a score 1:20 into the second extra session.

Carson-Newman outshot the Patriots 15-14, but FMU led in shots-on-goal 9-8 and in corner kicks 5-2.

FMU sophomore goalkeeper Clark Richeson recorded five saves, while Carson-Newman’s Jordan Moore also made five stops.

Francis Marion head coach Kevin Varnado said, "It was a really great game, and a stunning win. Carson-Newman did what they were supposed to in an NCAA game. Cooke had an incredible first goal. We got a break on the first penalty kick and were able to build momentum from there."

The Patriots avenge a 5-0 defeat to the Eagles on the same field back in September.

The 32-team national tournament field includes four Super Regions. The six-team Southeast Regional is part of Super Region 2.

This is Francis Marion’s second-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Patriots advanced to the national quarterfinals of the 2000 tournament.

During FMU’s current 15-match unbeaten streak – 13 wins and two ties – four of the wins have come in overtime.

No. 24 Limestone Downs Lander 2-1

By: Bob Stoner, Lander

GAFFNEY, S.C. – The Lander men’s soccer team saw its season come to an end Wednesday afternoon when the sixth-seeded Bearcats lost to third-seeded Limestone College, 2-1, in the first round of the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional tournament at Saints Field.

The No. 24-ranked Saints improve to 16-2-2, while Lander finishes with a 12-5-2 record.

The Saints got on the board in the 19th minute when Keegan Ziada scored on an assist from Michael McEmerson.

Limestone’s Sean Boyle gave the Saints a 2-0 lead in the 62nd minute on an assist from Andrew Kennedy.

Lander continued to fight back and cut the margin to 2-1 in the 84th minute when Ivan Stoykov found the back of the goal on a throw-in from Craig Hughes.

Limestone edged Lander 5-4 on shots on goal, but the Bearcats outshot the Saints 17-10 for the match. Limestone had the 7-5 advantage on corners.

Lander goalkeeper Billy Hale and Limestone goalkeeper Mark Davidson each posted three saves.