Freshman forward Andres Cuero nearly scored for the 49ers in the A-10 Title game |
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Massachusetts Shuts Out Charlotte in Atlantic 10 Tournament Title Game
Nov. 18, 2007
Dayton, Ohio - Despite enjoying an 8-5 shot advantage, the Charlotte 49ers men's soccer team (12-7-1) fell 2-0 to Massachusetts (13-7-1) in the championship game of the 2007 Atlantic 10 Tournament Sunday afternoon at Baujan Field. For their efforts in the tournament, senior defender Graham Tatters and freshman forward Andres Cuero were named to the All-Tournament team.
"We lost on two scrappy goals today off set pieces," first-year head coach Jeremy Gunn said. "I've got to give Massachusetts a lot of credit for battling so hard and making life difficult for us. For a large majority of the game, we put them under an awful lot of pressure. It was just difficult to break them down."
"Overall, our players performed fantastically throughout the season and really surprised a lot of teams. Unfortunately, today we just couldn't find a way through a dogged Massachusetts team."
In the first half, Massachusetts converted on a free kick just outside the Charlotte box. After the ball was sent in by the Minutemen, sophomore goalkeeper David Martin cleared the ball out of the zone as sophomore defender Josh Norwood followed through with the deflection, clearing the line. Unfortunately, the ball bounced off the legs of a Massachusetts attacker and found its way to the back of the net, completing the game-winning goal in the 30th minute.
"It was a very unlucky goal to concede," Gunn said.
Then, with less than 16 minutes remaining in regulation, Prince Ofosu picked up his third goal of the season for the Minutemen, tapping in an assist from Michael Jejna from two feet out to put Massachusetts ahead 2-0.
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That would prove to be enough for Massachusetts, as Charlotte's best chance to get on the board came with just 10 minutes left in regulation when a shot from Cuero just missed on the right side.
Cuero led the 49ers in shots with three, while sophomore midfielder Luke Exley posted two for the Charlotte offense. Tatters, sophomore midfielder Adam Gross and freshman defender Tyler Duncan each chipped in one shot apiece.
Martin made three saves as the 49ers wrapped up the 2007 campaign, while Massachusetts goalkeeper Zach Simmons made five saves, earning the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award.
"If ever you want to try and set a goal for your team, it's to have the privilege of playing for something in your last game," Gunn said. "We definitely achieved that."
This is the second time the Minutemen have won the A-10 Tournament and taken the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Coincidently enough, both times have been in Dayton, Ohio.
