Centre Men's Soccer entered Friday night needing a positive result in the race for the SAA Tournament. The Colonels fought hard and were step-for-step with Berry most of the night until a late slip allowed Berry to score the winner with just 5:35 to play, denying the Colonels a deserved point in the standings.
The Colonels nearly had a quick lead as
Amit Shahar slipped a pass through 2 Viking defenders to
AJ Daniels in the 5th minute. Daniels broke through the top of the penalty box and a 1-v-1 with the Berry keeper. Daniels was unable to elevate the ball as the keeper slid low and was able to knock the ball away, denying Centre the lead. Daniels had another go in the 15th minute but could not find the net.
Martin Cortez got the start in goal for Centre and made his first save in the 25th minute as the Colonel D kept Berry away from the box. Cortez was next tested in the 36th minute on a shot from distance and was there for the routine stop. Late in the half, Centre received a bit of good fortune as a shot from the left side of the box curled past Cortez but hit the right post and was cleared away to keep the game scoreless going to the second half.
Centre continued to press into the second half with 3 shot attempts and 3 corners in the first 8:22. They added another corner kick in the 62nd minute before Berry had its first shot of the half in the 65th minute, but Cortez scooped up the low shot attempt. Berry's next chance did not come until the fateful moment in the 85th minute. A long ball up the left side slipped past a Centre defender, giving the Vikings a 2-on-1 headed toward the net. The Vikings were able to get a shot off and into the upper corner of the net to grab the lead.
Jacob Tyler had one final chance in the 89th minute but was denied as Centre saw time expire in another tough loss.
The Colonels will look to end the 2025 home slate on a positive note as Oglethorpe comes to Danville on Sunday, starting at 3:30pm.
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