MISENHEIMER, N.C. - The fifth-seeded Methodist University men's soccer team competed in the opening round of the 2026 USA South Men's Soccer Conference Tournament, clashing versus fourth-seeded Pfeiffer University all the way to a penalty-kick shootout, falling short, 7-6 in PKs after a 1-1 draw to the Falcons at Lefko-Mills Field on Saturday afternoon.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: (5) Methodist tied (4) Pfeiffer, 1-1 (2OT), Pfeiffer advances on PKs, 7-6
Records: Methodist 10-2-6 (3-2-2 USA South), Pfeiffer 10-3-4 (3-2-2 USA South)
Location: Lefko-Mills Field; Misenheimer, N.C.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The clash commenced with senior Carson Stretz sending three shots on goal towards the net within the opening nine minutes of play. Sophomore Chase Grogg added to the Monarchs tally as well, collecting a shot on goal off a Monarchs corner kick.
- Pfeiffer would get on the board first in the match, driving down field quickly off Wesley Hooker's 25-yard cross to Erick Campos-Marquez to allow Campos-Marquez to find room around the Monarchs defensive front in the attack zone for the Falcons score in the 18th minute, taking the lead, 1-0.
- Senior Carson Stretz closed in on Pfeiffer's number with a quick score of his own, assisted by senior Garrett Panos off a free kick immediately after Pfeiffer's score in the 18th minute, tying things up between the two squads, 1-1.
- The match started to become chippy as both squads fought for possession of the ball, with Hooker for Pfeiffer recording a shot attempt in the 30th minute heading into the second half.
- Methodist began the second stanza with Josh Mott launching a scoring chance for the Monarchs before Wesley Hooker and Aidan Dualan sent shot attempts towards the net within the 55th minute.
- The Monarchs outshot the Falcons 6-3 in the closing 35 minutes of regulation, with a handful of yellow cards being delivered by the final seconds of the stanza, propelling both squads into the first ten-minute overtime period.
- In the first overtime, Pfeiffer and Methodist each launched two shot attempts between each other, Stretz and senior Josh Mott logging a scoring opportunity for the Monarchs remaining at 1-1 heading into OT-2.
- During the second overtime, junior Cameron Lambert, junior Antonio Rubino-Zapata, alongside Stretz, outshoot the Falcons 3-2 in the period to still stand at 1-1 to lead to a PK shootout between Pfeiffer and Methodist.
- The penalty kick shootout ran eight rounds between the Falcons and the Monarchs, with MU ultimately falling short 7-6 to Pfeiffer with Carson Stretz, Cameron Lambert, Camden Hancox, Garrett Panos, Lucas Bender, and Alex Ramson each converting on their PK attempts.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Senior Carson Stretz was the top performer on offense for the Monarchs, launching six shots, five being on goal with one goal scored through 91 minutes of action.
- Chase Grogg and Alex Ramson each sent two shots, one being on goal for both players, alongside Cameron Lambert who logged three shots on the afternoon for Methodist.
- Senior Trey Gohr was stout on defense for Methodist, recording three saves off 19 shots faced, with one goal against in the afternoon.
- Overall, Pfeiffer launched a greater tally of scoring attempts compared to the Monarchs, 19-17 through two overtime periods. However, Methodist was offensively sound through all 110 minutes of play, marking out with eight shots on goal compared to the Falcons five throughout the clash.
