Fire Best Bees in Shootout to Advance to SUN Semifinals

LAKELAND, Fla.- For the fifth time this season, 110 minutes was not enough to determine an outright winner in a Southeastern University men's soccer match. However, this time the Fire got the opportunity to continue their postseason run in dramatic fashion. After tying the fifth-seeded SCAD Savannah Bees 2-2 in The Sun Conference Quarterfinal, the fourth-seeded Fire advanced to the semifinal round 5-4 in penalty kicks.


"Any time you step into The Sun Conference Tournament, you know it's going to be a tough match," shared SEU head coach Clay Roberts. "SCAD is a gritty hard working team and credit to our guys for stepping up, creating some beautiful goals, and ultimately pulling through in the end."


The Bees struck first in the 21st minute on a goal by Hugh Wilkinson.


Southeastern found the equalizer in the 33rd minute, when graduate striker Samuele Nardini finished a ball from Eduardo Venutolo. The goal was Nardini's second of the season versus SCAD.


Fire graduate midfielder Ben-Avir Espinal scored the go-ahead goal for the Fire in the 63rd minute, blasting his shot just outside of the box far post to put the Fire up on the Bees 2-1.


With 4:08 remaining in regulation, SCAD knotted things backed up 2-2 thanks to a strike from Jesus Ulloa.


Despite outshooting the Bees 6-2 throughout two 10-minute overtime sessions, the Fire were unable to net the golden goal and the match went to a shootout.


After both teams converted their first two penalty kicks respectively, Fire senior goalkeeper Carlos Curado came through with a crucial save on Lewis Gamble's attempt which opened the door for Southeastern to advance.


"I have to give all the credit to God for giving me the opportunity to be here at SEU and compete with these guys," commented Curado. "My teammates gave me a lot of confidence tonight and I knew had to go into pks and just be patient."


With both teams each making their next two penalties, it all came down to Fire graduate forward Colin Horn, who buried his penalty kick past the Bees' keeper to cement the 5-4 shootout victory for the Fire.


The Fire now take on the top-seeded St. Thomas University Bobcats in The Sun Conference Semifinals this upcoming Tuesday November 9 at the STU Soccer Field. Match time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.