Saturday, November 12, 2005

Macon, Ga. - Stetson's Armante Marshall scored the game-winning goal to lift the No. 2 Hatters past top-seeded Campbell, 2-1, in the Atlantic Sun Men's Soccer Championship Saturday night at Bear Field. The win marks the first ever championship title for the Hatters and secures the NCAA Automatic bid. Stetson is the first No. 2 seed to win the title since 2000.

In the first half, Campbell and Stetson each scored a goal, trading shots the entire half. Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year Sonny Guadarrama headed in a cross kick inside the box at the 24:37 mark to take the early lead. Matt Lightner and Justin Madrid were credited with assists. Four minutes later, Stetson's Tanner Wolfe fired a shot inside the box that flew off of the crossbar.

The Hatters kept Camel goalie Aaron Johnson busy as he recorded six saves, but allowed Alex Minton to score the equalizer with 42 seconds left in the half on an indirect free kick, assisted by Arthur Prescott and Wolfe. Minton scored two goals in the tournament and was named most valuable player.

In the second, the match heated up and A-Sun Player of theYear Willy Guadarrama came out determined to score. He had two clean shots inside the box, but was denied on the first by Evan White, while the second ricocheted off the left post. The Hatters out-shot the Camels 15 to six, and the score remained knotted at 1-1 until the 83rd minute. Marshall stole the ball from Campbell's Matt Lightner and scored on a strike from outside while Stetson's defense held the regular season champs at bay for the rest of the match.

The Hatters will learn their first-round NCAA Regional opponent during the NCAA Selection Show at 4 p.m. Monday afternoon on ESPNNews. The first-round match will be held next Friday or Saturday.

2005 Tournament Most Valuable Player
Alex Minton, Stetson

2005 All-Tournament
Del Olaoye, Mercer
Devin Sheppard, Campbell
Sonny Guadarrama, Campbell
Willy Guadarrama, Campbell
Aaron Johnson, Campbell
Mike Moghaddam, Campbell
Evan White, Stetson
Ben Dyon, Stetson
Tanner Wolfe, Stetson
Ron Fulmore, Stetson
Alex Minton, Stetson