Sunday, November 13, 2011

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – FGCU’s Scott Harrison headed in the game’s only goal in the 89th minute and the Eagles claimed the A-Sun Men’s Soccer Championship with a 1-0 victory over defending champion ETSU.

The goal was Harrison’s only shot of the game and his second goal of the season, coming on a cross put in by Francesco DiStefano, which was his fifth assist of the season.

ETSU finished with a flurry, as the Bucs fired two shots on goal in the last remaining seconds, the first by Ryan Coulter that was blocked in the box by FGCU defenders. On the deflection, ETSU midfielder Alesi Osorio took possession and fired a shot that was headed away just outside the goal by FGCU’s Yianni Sarris with seconds remaining. Itode Fubara had one last shot for the Eagles but it sailed wide.

The win sends FGCU to the NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament in its first year of postseason eligibility.

The Buccaneers appeared to strike first in the eighth minute, as Aaron Schoenfeld scored off a cross from David Geno, but the goal was disallowed as Schoenfeld was called offside. Again in the 35th minute, Schoenfeld put another shot in the back of the net, but was once again ruled offside.

ETSU outshot the Eagles 15-12, while FGCU took four corner kicks to ETSU’s three. Frank Doumbe led the Bucs with three shots on goal and Nick Patterson attempted four shots for the Eagles. A-Sun Championship Most Valuable Player Nathan Ingham recorded five saves for the Eagles in his sixth game in relief of injured senior Adam Glick.

2011 A-Sun All-Tournament Team Garret Pettis, Lipscomb
Joey Heavner, Mercer
Jonathan Mendoza, Stetson
David Geno, ETSU
Aaron Schoenfeld, ETSU
Ryan Coulter, ETSU
Xavier Silva, FGCU
Josey Portillo, FGCU
Scott Harrison, FGCU
Cristian Raudales, FGCU
A-Sun Championship Most Valuable Player: Nathan Ingham, FGCU

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The Atlantic Sun Conference is an NCAA Division I league with 10 member institutions committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun meets the challenge of maintaining the highest standards in academic and athletic achievement with a true balance between student and athlete. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.