Men’s soccer advances to AAC Tournament Championship for first time in program history

WEST POINT, Ga. (Nov. 9, 2021) – Jeronimo Leguizamon connected for his NAIA leading 24th goal to send the Point University men's soccer team to a 1-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference semifinal victory over Montreat College Tuesday night inside River Bowl Stadium.

With Tuesday's win, the Skyhawks make history as the first team in program history to make an appearance in the AAC tournament championship.

"I'm so proud of everyone tonight," Head Coach Mark Wozniak said. "Everyone played with passion and heart and as a whole team and program, we encouraged each other the whole game. Montreat played very well and battled the whole game and thankfully, we were able to score a goal. We made history tonight by winning a semifinal and we are not satisfied with that. We can now focus on the final on Friday."

On the pitch

It was an intense 90-minute battle as a spot in the AAC Championship was on the line. Neither team could connect for a goal in the first half as Point's defense limited Montreat to four shots, and the Cavaliers limited the Skyhawks to six.

In the second half, Leguizamon nearly connected for a goal in the 57th minute but was called offsides. Eight minutes later, Pablo Sanz placed the ball in the right corner of the field and Leguizamon was able to break past defenders and send the ball in the back of the net.

Leguizamon did not stop there, as he went on to take two more shots in the next 10 minutes of action before Montreat took control of the ball for nearly the last 15 minutes of action. In the waning minutes of the game, the Cavs had six corner kicks and four shots, but Montreat could not score the game equalizer.

In the second half, Point outshot Montreat 9-7 and outshot them overall in shots on goal 6-5. Leguizamon led Point with six shots, three on goal. Reigning NAIA Defensive Player of the Week, Julio Gomes, made four saves and recorded his fifth clean sheet in the last six games.

With Tuesday's win, the Skyhawks are now on a six-game win streak and advance to 11-5-1 on the season.

Up next

With Tuesday's win, the Skyhawks advance to the AAC Tournament Championship held in Athens, Tennessee, on Friday, Nov. 12. Point will travel to play Tennessee Wesleyan, who advanced to the championship match after defeating St. Andrews Tuesday evening 4-3 in penalty kicks after ending regulation tied 1-1.

Game time for Friday's match will be released soon.