Men's Soccer Ties Coker, 0-0, Falls In Penalty Kicks, 6-5

The sixth-seeded Belmont Abbey men's soccer team battled fifth-seeded Coker to a 0-0 draw this afternoon in the Conference Carolinas Men's Soccer Tournament Championship match, but the Cobras won the title by virtue of a 5-4 win on penalty kicks. The contest is officially recorded as a tie, as Coker improves to 12-5-3 while the Abbey ends its season with a mark of 12-7-2.

It was a neck and neck battle for more than 120 minutes of play with neither team conceding even the slightest advantage to the other. Belmont Abbey held a 13-10 shot advantage, while each goalkeeper made six saves in the match.

Each team had ample opportunities to put home the game winner, especially in the first overtime period. With just minutes remaining Coker senior Ben Beetch made a career save, as he knocked away a Abbey direct kick from 18 yards out. Then just moments later Marc Mergena nearly won a 50/50 ball, but Brandon Alvarez was able to make the save.

In the end it came down to a penalty kick shootout. Coker and Abbey stayed neck and neck yet again, with each team putting four of their first five shots in the back of the net. Then in the extra shooters, the sixth shooter for each team netted their shots and then as the seventh shooter Fowler was able to score for Coker, but Ross Smith sent his shot wide, giving Coker the 6-5 shootout victory and the win.

2009 All-Tournament Team
Stuart Wright, Limestone College
Luke Duffy, Lees-McRae College
Marc Mergena, Coker College
Aaron Weldon, Belmont Abbey College
Ben Beetch, Coker College
Jack Reid, Belmont Abbey College
Tyler Senecal, Coker College
Emmanual Yamson, Belmont Abbey College
Noah Lascell, Coker College