Box Score EVANS, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's soccer team pushed the top team in the region into a scoreless draw through regulation, but lost a 1-0 decision to Young Harris in overtime at the Peach Belt Conference Championship Sunday afternoon.
The Pacers are now 14-5-1 on the season and await the NCAA Selection Show Monday at 7:30 p.m., to find out if they will make the NCAA Tournament.
Head coach Ike Ofoje's team fought relentlessly against the Mountain Lions, who had defeated USC Aiken 5-0 during the regular season.
In the early going, Young Harris gained possession and earned a corner kick and a shot. However, the stingy defense of the Pacers managed to turn the squad away.
USC Aiken registered its first corner kick of the match at the 4:59 mark, but Andre Simmond was unable to connect with another teammate.
Both teams tried to find an opening in the opposing team's defense, but neither was able to manage another shot until the 18th minute of action. Simmond had a pair of shots within a five-second span, but both were blocked. The Mountain Lions quickly countered, but their shot attempt was high.
USC Aiken controlled the ball near the end of the first period. Jordan Misiri took a corner kick at the 41:21 mark and found Sandre Duncan, who narrowly missed on an attempt. Adria Dalmau nearly put the No. 2 seed on the board just prior to the break, but his header was saved by Jordan Bradshaw.
The Pacers opened the second period by pushing forward. Duncan managed to get a boot on the ball and rocketed it toward the frame in the 48th minute only to be turned away by Bradshaw.
The Mountain Lions countered, but Joshua Poissant showcased his brilliant talents, turning away the top seed time after time.
In the 73rd minute of action, Misiri juked a pair of defenders in the corner and worked his way toward the box. He flicked it to Noel Mais, who corralled it and attempted to connect toward the far post. Bradshaw, however, was able to get his hands on it while keeping the score at 0-0.
Manuel Medina rifled a shot, but it was blocked at the 81:12 mark. Young Harris tried to end the match in regulation, but Poissant and the outstanding defensive backfield for Ofoje's team maintained the tie with excellent play and positioning.
Young Harris gained possession just a few seconds into the extra session and managed to score the game-winning goal.
For the match, USC Aiken was out-shot 22-10. The Pacers had five corner kicks while Young Harris tallied nine. Poissant played all 90:28 between the pipes and stopped 11 shots. The squad also had a pair of team saves for 13 total.
Noel Mais, Joshua Poissant and Jan Wester were named to the all-tournament team.
