MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Lwandiso Gonya scored in the 88th minute to give the No. 2-seeded Lindsey Wilson men's soccer team a 2-1 win today over Indiana Wesleyan University in the 2013 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship at Emory Folmar YMCA Soccer Complex.
The Blue Raiders (16-3-2) win moves them into the quarterfinals of the NAIA National Championship and will face the winner of the No. 7-seeded Hastings (Neb.) and No. 10-seeded Missouri Valley match that takes place Tuesday, December 3 at 4 p.m. CT. The quarterfinal match will be played at 4 p.m. CT on Wednesday, December 4.
The Wildcats opened up the scoring opportunities when they had a great chance in the ninth minute to take a 1-0 lead when Tad Gilbert got through the Lindsey Wilson defenders but Gilbert missed and placed it on the outside of the net to keep the game scoreless.
The Blue Raiders would open the scoring in the 32nd minute on an Albert Edward pass from the far side of the 18-yard box to a waiting Tom Moody who one-touch volleyed it past Wildcats goalkeeper Josh Goepper to make it 1-0.
Lindsey Wilson had two straight corners in the 36th and 37th minute but were unable to capitalize on the opportunities and the scored remained 1-0.The Wildcats Geoff Bowman had a corner kick in the 39th minute that nearly rebounded in but was saved at the line by the Lindsey Wilson defenders.
The Blue Raiders and Wildcats both had five shots – two on goal – apiece in the first half. Yuta Nomura made two saves for Lindsey Wilson while Goepper had one save while allowing one goal in the first half.
To start the second half, Nomura made a great save in the 47th minute to rob Evan Young of the Wildcats and keep the Blue Raiders lead at 1-0.
The Blue Raiders maintained possession for most of the second half, but the Wildcats were able to get the equalizer in the 76th minute to make it 1-1. Indiana Wesleyan's Sam Kane scored after a pass floated into the 6-yard box that a Lindsey Wilson defender failed to clear. Kane chipped the ball over Nomura and into the net for the tying goal.
Keletso Mosime had a great opportunity in the 83rd minute to retake the lead, but the shot sailed over the net to keep the score 1-1.
The Blue Raiders regained the lead after Yazeed Davids fed Gonya through the Wildcat defenders on a great pass that was placed on Gonya's feet and he was able to put in the back of the net to take a 2-1 lead in the 88th minute.
Lindsey Wilson finished the game with 14 shots while Indiana Wesleyan finished with 15 shots. Nomura made six saves while allowing only one goal in 90 minutes of action. Moody led all Blue Raiders with three shots on goal while three Wildcats had two shots on goal.
The Blue Raiders return to action on Wednesday, December 4 at 4 p.m. CT in the NAIA National Championship Quarterfinals.
Notes:
Lindsey Wilson wins its NAIA-best 50th all-time national tournament game with today's win over Indiana Wesleyan.
Blue Raiders improve to 50-11-4 all-time in the national tournament with the win.
Lindsey Wilson improves to 18-2-0 all-time as a No. 2 seed.
The Blue Raiders are 11-3 all-time in the Round of 16.
Lindsey Wilson has scored 192 all-time goals in national tournament play while allowing just 71.
With top-seeded Grand View losing today, Lindsey Wilson is the highest remaining seed remaining in the tournament.
