ATLANTA – For the fourth time in six seasons, Centre men's soccer lifted the Southern Athletic Association Tournament Championship trophy, defeating top-seeded Oglethorpe by a 3-0 margin Sunday afternoon.
The Colonels improve to 10-5-3 overall with the program's fifth conference tournament championship, adding to their titles in 2019, 2018, 2016 and 1991 (SCAC). It's the 10th total conference crown including regular season trophies.
The Stormy Petrels fall to 8-7-1, dropping their first match since Sept. 18.
Michael Vogt was named SAA Tournament MVP, while
Nafiz Budeiri and
Haydon Korfhage joined him on the All-Tournament Team.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Centre put Oglethorpe on its heels with a goal in the seventh minute.
Max Gordinier scored his first goal of the season after a shot from
Michael Vogt was blocked.
- The two sides traded attacking opportunities before
Taylor Nelson doubled the Colonels' lead in the 32nd minute off an assist from
Sota Ippongi. It was the rookie's second goal of the campaign and the sixth helper from Ippongi.
- Oglethorpe took five shots in the closing minutes of the first half, but the Centre defense blocked two while Korfhage stopped another.
- Korfhage maintained the clean sheet with a pair of second half saves, and fellow senior
Nathan Wilcox solidified the victory with an unassisted score in the 85th minute. It was his team-leading ninth goal.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Oglethorpe took 14 shots to Centre's 10, but put only three on target.
- Korfhage finished with three total saves in his second straight shutout.
- Wilcox, Ippongi and Gordinier led the team with two shots apiece.
UP NEXT
Centre earns the SAA's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament and will find out its placement in Monday's Selection Show.
