MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Top-seeded Faulkner (17-3, 10-1 SSAC) made a valiant comeback attempt with a turnout behind it by fans and students that made the program's first SSAC Men's Soccer finals match seem almost like a home game for the Eagles on Saturday night at the Emory Folmar Soccer Complex but dropped a tough result 2-1 to 3-seed William Carey (16-2-3, 7-2-2 SSAC) in a gritty and chippy contest.
The Crusaders came out swinging, scoring the match winner 12 minutes in with an incredible shot from midfield by Souleymane Balde past five defenders that caught Andre Ferreira a step out of his box and forced the senior from Portugal to dive back and fall down, leaving the goal unguarded. Just eight minutes later, it was Fabian Arroyo's turn to take advantage of a look from distance, firing in a loose ball from the top of the outside box to make it two goals in three shots. Those would be the only two shots on goal the Crusaders would earn, but the First Team All-SSAC duo ensured both hit the mark, and it proved to be enough.
Needing a spark before the half, the Eagles forced a throw-in and quickly drove downfield and took advantage. Pepe Riofrio delivered a pass from just past midfield to the outside box, where Angel Ugwumba came up with the loose ball. Ugwumba laced a great through ball to Asaph Silveira, who floated it past the keeper to cut the lead in half heading into halftime.
After putting up eight shots with four of them on goal in the first period, Faulkner followed it up with 11 shots and five on frame in the final 45 minutes. Faulkner spent plenty of time in the Crusader half, as it also collected six corner kicks for the match while allowing just two, but suffered missed opportunities as it met with high resistance from the Carey defense. The best chance for the Eagles came in the 86th minute after Pablo Diez saved a Juan Rojas shot. The ball squirted on the ground, and a Carey defender fell on it in the ensuing scrum, giving Faulkner a chance to tie it up via penalty kick. Konsti Witte stepped up to take it after a lengthy stoppage. Diez dove to deflect the shot and effectively seal the deal, as his defense would only allow Faulkner one more look the rest of the way. Diez ended the day with eight saves, five of them in the second half, for the win.
The Eagles await their postseason destination and whether they will host an NAIA First and Second Round. The selection show is Friday, Nov. 13 at 6 pm CT before the First and Second Rounds of the NAIA Men's Soccer Championship from Nov. 19-21 at campus sites.
