MISENHEIMER, N.C. After 110 minutes of regulation and overtime resulting in a 0–0 draw, the USA South Men's Soccer Tournament Semifinal between No. 5 Methodist and top-seeded Pfeiffer came down to a penalty shootout on Wednesday night. The Monarchs came out on top, 4-2, to advance to the USA South Finals while ending the Falcons' season at Lefko-Mills Field.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist tied Pfeiffer, 0–0 (MU advances on penalty kicks, 4-2)
Records: Methodist 6-3-11, Pfeiffer 13-0-4
Location: Lefko-Mills Field; Misenheimer, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The opening 45 minutes were a defensive battle, as both sides were held to limited chances. Each team had a golden opportunity to open the scoring. Methodist's Steven Floyd created a one-on-one with the Pfeiffer keeper after winning a 50-50 ball, but his initial shot was saved and his follow-up attempt missed just wide. Near the end of the first half, the Falcons nearly struck first when Wesley Hooker fired a low shot that was turned away by a diving save from Monarch goalkeeper Trey Gohr.
- Following halftime, the intensity and the physicality picked up, with both teams matching each other's pace and pressure. Pfeiffer edged Methodist slightly in shots, 5-4, while the teams combined for 12 fouls in the half. The Falcons were shown three yellow cards, while the Monarchs were issued one.
- Neither side was able to break through, forcing overtime for the second straight match for Methodist. During the first extra period, the Monarchs controlled possession and registered two shots, though none were on target. The deadlock held through 110 minutes, sending the match to a penalty shootout.
- In PKs, Gohr made a key save to keep the sheet clean before Floyd buried his shot into the bottom left corner to give Methodist the early lead. After Pfeiffer evened the shootout, Josh Mott converted to reclaim the advantage, and then Cameron Lambert extended the lead to 3-1. Following another Falcon make, Carson Stretz sealed the victory for the Monarchs with a strike into the bottom right corner, sending Methodist to the USA South title match.
NUMBERS
- Pfeiffer held a slight edge in total shots (10-8), but Methodist led in shots on goal, 5-4.
- A physical match featured 31 combined fouls and seven cards.
- This marked Methodist's first penalty shootout since the 2012 USA South Semifinals – a 4-3 win.
- With the result, the Monarchs tied the NCAA Division III record for most draws in a single-season (11), matching Williams College 2022 mark.
UP NEXT
Methodist advances to the USA South Finals on Saturday, November 8, traveling to North Carolina Wesleyan University for the title match. First kick is set for 2 PM.
