MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Faulkner flew into the SSAC Final for the first time in program history after blanking Dalton State 3-0 Thursday night in the SSAC semifinal at the Emory Folmar Soccer Complex.
The Eagles held Dalton State to just three shots on goal as
Andre Ferreira earned his ninth career clean sheet, tying the program record set by Caio Calado.
The Eagles struck first in the 10th minute when
Asaph Silveira and
Angel Ugwumba interplayed down the right wing before finding Pepé Riofrio for what proved to be the match winner.
The first half became extremely chippy as five yellow cards were scattered between 15 fouls, but no other goal was found.
In the 69th minute, Faulkner sprung a counter attack out of a Dalton State corner through
Leo Freire.
Bernardo Juca ran free in the middle with
Julio Cesar and Freire passed to the SSAC Player of the Year. Juca tucked away the second goal and put Dalton State into desperation mode offensively.
With the Roadrunners pushed forward, Cesar uncorked a shot that was saved but fell right to
Konsti Witte who put the finishing touches on the match.
The victory is the first in six trips to the SSAC Semifinal and the first win over Dalton State in the semi after falling twice previously in the stage (2016, 2020).
Faulkner will play the winner of William Carey and UT Southern Saturday night at 7 p.m. for the SSAC Men's Soccer Championship Title.
