Box Score AVE MARIA, Fla. – In a gritty performance in a monsoon of rain, which fell right in step with what has been a season of adversity and perseverance, the Southeastern University men's soccer team edged out the Ave Maria University Gyrenes 3-2 in a 2OT thriller to conclude the regular season. The Fire finished Sun Conference play with a 5-3-1 record and solidified their spot in the conference tournament, earning their fifth consecutive TSC postseason berth.
"This was not a game about tactics because of the weather conditions, it was about work rate and a desire to win. Our guys came out and earned their way into the playoffs," shared head coach
Clay Roberts.
The Fire found themselves down early after surrendering a goal to the Gyrenes off a corner kick in the 5
th minute.
SEU responded in the 15
th minute when senior forward
Tauan Salgado played a through ball to junior forward
Lucas DePaula Faggoti, who finished across with the laces for his second goal of the season to tie things up.
The Gyrenes reacquired their advantage in the 31
th minute off a converted free kick at the top of the box.
Despite holding the shot advantage 8-7, Southeastern trailed Ave Maria 2-1 at the half.
The Fire established near complete control of possession to open the second half, hustling their way to six shot opportunities in the first 15 minutes of play.
The seventh scoring chance of the half for the Fire was a one touch finish past the keeper by senior center back
Caue Salgado to tie things up 2-2 in the 69
th minute. Senior midfielder
Gustavo Rodrigues played a free kick into the box, Salgado's twin brother Tauan headed the ball back to Caue, who finished with the inside of his right leg.
A shot by Depaula Faggoti in the 89
th minute was on frame and nearly put the Fire up late. However, at the end of regulation SEU and AMU remained deadlocked at 2-2. Southeastern played overtime soccer for the fourth time this season.
The Fire outshot the Gyrenes 5-1 in the first 15 minute period, with none of the SEU attempts finding the frame. A save by junior goalkeeper
Jorge Navarrete on the lone AMU shot attempt in the 99
th minute preserved the tie and forced a second overtime period. Navarrete finished with six saves on the day.
For the second time this season, senior midfielder
Gustavo Rodrigues provided overtime heroics for the Fire. The Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil native recovered a deflected cross from junior defender
Adolfo Peraza and smashed it past the keeper in the 106
th minute to give Southeastern the victory.
The Fire now await to find out who their opponent will be in the first round of The Sun Conference tournament.
