Freshman forward Andres Cuero scored the game-winning penalty kick for the 49ers |
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Charlotte Advances to Atlantic 10 Championship Game 3-2 on Penalty Kicks
Nov. 16, 2007
Dayton, Ohio - After a scoreless 110 minutes of conference semifinal action, the Charlotte 49ers men's soccer team (13-6-1; A-10: 6-3-1) took out top-seeded #12 Saint Louis 3-2 in penalty kicks Friday evening in the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament at Baujuan Field. The 49ers advance to the conference championship game, slated for Sunday afternoon, for the first time since the 2003 season and the first time ever in the A-10.
"It's truly an incredible victory," head coach Jeremy Gunn said. "Deciding a game on penalties is always a cruel way of deciding a soccer match, but I can honestly say I think we deserved the victory. We kept our shape and structure so well. It was a special performance tonight."
After regulation scoring attempts by freshman forward Will Shull, who barely missed on a cross from junior forward Chris Salvaggione, freshman forward Andres Cuero, sophomore forward Kevin Fox, who boasted a one-on-one attempt, sophomore midfielder Luke Exley and a free-kick by senior defender Graham Tatters, the 49ers still remained scoreless on 13 shots at the end of 110 minutes of action.
Saint Louis, held to six shots, all coming after halftime, posted an ill-fated attempt corralled by sophomore goalkeeper David Martin, who tallied his eight shutout of the season.
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"We changed our tactics today and did something different than we'd done all season in an attempt to stop the best attack we've faced," Gunn said. "The players did absolutely incredible with it. We reduced Saint Louis to no shots in the first half and only a total of six shots all the way through, which is truly incredible. What was exciting, though, is that we defended so well, yet when we broke, we created the best scoring chances of the game."
"The plan was, because they were the fresh team, we tried to slow the game down a little bit and make life difficult for SLU. We did a great job of making life difficult. I was extremely impressed by our players that we were able to create some great attacks."
Charlotte initially went up 2-0 on penalty kicks, as both sophomore midfielder Adam Gross and Shull found the back of the net against Billiken goalkeeper Pat Disbennett. Saint Louis answered, though, making its next two shots, as the 49ers failed to run up the score with failed attempts by Tatters and Exley.
Finally, preseason All-A-10 Rookie selection Cuero sent his shot past the keeper in Charlotte's final unanswered penalty kick, allowing Charlotte to advance to the championship game.
Charlotte will take on third-seed Massachusetts in the final game Sunday afternoon at 1 pm. The appearance marks the first-ever A-10 championship appearance by the 49ers and their first conference championship appearance since 2003, when they lost the Conference USA title to Saint Louis on penalty kicks.
