Flagler men’s soccer win second-round NCAA match in shootout

By Eric Albury | gargoyle@flagler.edu
Photo by Eric Albury

After a scoreless regulation and overtime, the second-seeded Flagler College men’s soccer team outscored sixth-seeded UNC Pembroke 4-2 in a shootout in a second-round match of the NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Championship on Saturday night.

Ryan Hanson, goalkeeper for the Braves, could not follow up on his perfect record during regulation and overtime of 12 saves, allowing all four of the Saints’ shots during the shootout to go past him.

“I was hoping he was tired,” Flagler coach John Lynch said. “He had worked so hard during the game, maybe we wore him down.”

Saints goalkeeper Camp Bissell recorded three saves during regulation and overtime, and saved the first two shootout shots to help secure Flagler’s victory.

Flagler held the edge in both shots and corner kicks for the game, tallying 27 saves to 10 and eight corner kicks to five.

“I was pleased with how we played,” Lynch said. “I thought going into the game that we were slightly better than them, and we have a bit more experience than them, especially in NCAA tournaments.”

Flagler will play the winner of the game between Lander and Wingate.

The third round of the NCAA tournament will be held either Nov. 15 or 16 at a location yet to be determined.