THOMASVILLE, Ga. - In the cruelest dice roll of mental composure and physical ability, a penalty shootout, Faulkner saw its SSAC postseason come to a heartbreaking close in a 4-3 decision after a 2-2 draw.
All 10 kicks between the two teams were on frame, but Thomas goalkeeper Jorge Gonzalez made two crucial saves that force the Eagles to now anxiously await 10 days for the NAIA postseason field to be announced and see if their name is in the list. Faulkner's first shot was saved but a big save from
Michalis Jackson on the third shot from Thomas drew everything back level, but Gonzalez answered it right back saving the fourth attempt.
In regulation, Thomas struck first in the 25th to take a 1-0 lead, but
Leo Freire's follow up goal just six minutes later brought Faulkner level at half.
In the 53rd minute,
Caden Maldonado caught the keeper retreating after a misplayed free kick near midfield by the netminder and shot from the halfway line and found the back of the net for his first career goal in dazzling fashion. In the 61st, the Night Hawks leveled it again which is where it would stand through 20 minutes of overtime in addition to the nearly last 30 minutes of regulation.
Faulkner stands at 11-4-2 with a program best six conference wins in the toughest league in the country and the most overall wins in program history. The only losses came to three top 10 opponents and a receiving votes squad on the road. The Eagles await their national fate to be announced Monday Nov. 13.
