GEORGETOWN, Ky. -- The Lindsey Wilson College men's soccer team won the 2007 Mid-South Conference Tournament tonight with a 3-2 win over University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) at Georgetown College Soccer Field.
The Blue Raiders won an intense battle -- which featured seven red and five yellow cards -- between the top two seeds in the MSC Tournament.
With the win, Lindsey Wilson (17-1-0) adds the tournament title to their regular season crown and will now advance as the top-seed in the NAIA Region XI Championships next week hosted by Mid-Continent (Ky.) University in Mayfield.
Cumberlands scored in the 19th minute when Blajeh Skoczylas scored from the left flank to give the Patriots the 1-0 lead.
Blue Raider senior Ryan Stewart scored an unassisted goal in the 22nd minute to tie the match at 1-1. The goal is Stewart's 15th of the season and 53rd of his career.
A little more than two minutes later the Patriots (10-8-1) grabbed the one-goal lead on a blast from just inside the penalty area by Luis Souza. Cumberlands led at the break 2-1.
Three minutes into the second frame, Lindsey Wilson freshman Anthony Bahadar scored his second career goal and the match's equalizer from just in front of the goal.
In the 66th minute a scuffle that ultimately resulted in seven red cards -- two assessed to Lindsey Wilson players and four to Cumberlands players and one to a Cumberlands assistant coach -- changed the complexion of the match.
The final 24 minutes, Lindsey Wilson played with a two-man advantage.
The Blue Raiders took advantage, scoring the game-winner at the 72:51 mark. Bahadar crossed the ball onto the boot of junior Nathaniel Jafta to give Lindsey Wilson the 3-2 lead and eventually the win. The goal was Jafta's team-leading 18th of the season.
The tournament title is Lindsey Wilson's eighth straight. The Blue Raiders have won the MSC Tournament each season since joining the league in 2000.
The Blue Raiders advance to the NAIA Region XI semifinals on Monday, November 5, at Mid-Continent. Lindsey Wilson's opponent will be determined this weekend after the play-in game.
