Men’s soccer advances to NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship for first time in program history
ATHENS, Tenn. (Nov. 12, 2021) — For the first time in program history the Point University men's soccer team has advanced to the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship. The Skyhawks faced Tennessee Wesleyan in the AAC tournament championship Friday afternoon and after 110 minutes the match ended in a 2-2 tie and was sent to penalty kicks where the Skyhawks won 5-3.
Second-half comeback
The Bulldogs entered the break leading 2-0 with both goals coming from Wynand Wessels. Wessels first goal came off a free kick after a Skyhawk foul set him up at the top of the box. Wessels kick deflected off Point's defensive line and found its way past Julio Gomes. Wessels' second goal came off a penalty kick after a handball in the box.
With less than 20 minutes remaining in the second half, Point's opportunities at a comeback were beginning to dwindle down, but the Skyhawks were still hard at work, maintaining possession of the ball for majority of the half. In the 73rd minute, Pablo Acebron took a corner kick that found Julien Sagnol in the box, and the freshman was able to head the ball into the back of the net to cut TWU's lead in half.
With less than 10 minutes remaining, a foul set up AAC Player of the Year, Jeronimo Leguizamon, for a free kick from the top of the box and the sophomore placed the ball in the right side of the net to tie the match 2-2.
Point tried to a late-game lead, taking four shots to close out regulation, but none of the Skyhawks' shots connected and the match was sent into overtime.
Overtime | Penalty Kicks
Neither team found much success in breaking the ball past the midfield in the first overtime as TWU took two shots and Point took one. In the second overtime only four shots were taken between the two teams, with three of the four shots coming after fouls. The Bulldogs had three shots with two being free kicks, while Point had one free kick. A golden goal was unable to be scored in the second overtime period, and the match was sent into a shootout.
The Skyhawks sent Sagnol, Pablo Sanz Diez, Lorenzo Delvecchio, Acebron and Leguizamon to the line for penalty kicks and all five connected with their shots. The Bulldogs' connected for their first shot, but Gomes stopped Billy Boag's shot to help the Skyhawks take a 3-1 advantage following Delvecchio's made shot. Leguizamon connected for Point's fifth and final shot to send Point to victory.
In the box
Both teams took 15 shots apiece and six shots apiece on frame. Leguizamon took eight of Point's shots with four on frame. Gomes made four saves.
Gomes, Facundo Palacio, Sagnol and Leguizamon made the AAC All-Tournament team, with Leguizamon earning the title of tournament MVP.
Up next
Next, Point will await to find out where they will be heading for the 2021 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship Opening Round. The NAIA will be having a selection show Monday at 1 p.m. The NAIA tournament is set to begin Nov. 18.