Tusculum Wins Men’s Soccer Southeast Regional Tournament With 2-0 Victory Over Lees-McRae

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. -- The fifth-ranked Tusculum College men's soccer team earned the program's second NCAA Division II National Quarterfinal appearance with a 2-0 shutout win against No. 13 Lees-McRae College on Sunday afternoon in the final of the NCAA II Southeast Regional at Pioneer Field. Tusculum is now 20-2-1 on the season, while Lees-McRae ends the year at 17-3-3.

The Pioneers scored twice in the first 27 minutes of the match to open a 2-0 lead at half time. Phillip Hagen gave Tusculum the early 1-0 advantage with his third goal of the season in the 15th minute, knocking in a loss ball in the box off a free kick. Lucas Paulini widened the lead to 2-0 midway through the 27th minute with his second goal of the campaign, blasting in a cross from Hagen off a Scott Lucky corner kick.

Lees-McRae made a late charge in the final 20 minutes of the match with three of its nine shots, as the Bobcats held a 9-7 edge in attempts on goal in the contest. Dale Parker led the Bobcats with three shots, while Tusculum's Bruno Conceicão and Paulini each had two shots on the afternoon.

"We made two mistakes in the game, and a great team like Tusculum is going to punish you. I thought we played very well, but they took advantage of their chances and we missed ours. I am very proud of this team, they won all the games they needed to win, and we won the conference back-to-back, so you cannot ask for more than that," said Lees-McRae Head Coach Chris Whalley.

Junior goalkeeper Lance Moore made three saves to notch his 12th shutout of the season as the Pioneers tied a program record with their 12th clean sheet of the campaign. "The defense played really well in front of me, not just the back line but the whole team. We played our game, and we came out with the victory," said Moore.

"We fought hard and it was very cold, but we tried to put that behind us. It was very important to have early goals, because it gives us a lot of confidence for the rest of the game," said Tusculum midfielder Telmo Dantes.

Hagen led the way for TC with a goal and an assist for a career-high three points. Lucky notched his team-leading 13th helper of the season on Paulini's ninth career goal.

"Obviously it is an exciting time for us and our program. We have a very special group of guys. We are not the most talented, or physical or impressive, but we play together as well as anyone. We have special players, and our guys find a way to win," said Tusculum Head Coach Brett Teach.

Tusculum now advances to the Elite Eight to take on the University of Tampa (17-3-1) next weekend at a date and venue to be determined.

NCAA II SOUTHEAST REGION ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Bruno Conceicão, Tusculum
Lee Squires, Lees-McRae
Anteneh Lemma, Tusculum
Lee Smyth, Limestone
Luke Staats, Lees-McRae
David Palmer, Lees-McRae
Julian Ramjohn, Francis Marion
Lance Moore, Tusculum
Scott Lucky, Tusculum
Ignacio Falco, Lees-McRae
Lucas Paulini, Tusculum

Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Lance Moore, Tusculum
Most Outstanding Offensive Player: Bruno Conceicão, Tusculum

Soccer Game Summary (Final)
2008 Tusculum College Men's Soccer

#13 Lees-McRae vs #5 Tusculum (Nov 16, 2008 at Greeneville, Tenn.)
Lees-McRae (17-3-3) vs. Tusculum (20-2-1)
Date: Nov 16, 2008 Attendance: 251
Weather: Cold and overcast

Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
Lees-McRae.......... 0 0 - 0
Tusculum............ 2 0 - 2

SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 14:03 TCM Phillip Hagen (3) (unassisted) - Free kick swung in, knocked into top of the net
2. 26:35 TCM Lucas Paulini (2) (Phillip Hagen;Scott Lucky) - Corner swung in by Lucky, tapped into the middle, blasted in

Shots: Lees-McRae 9, Tusculum 7
Saves: Lees-McRae 2 (Sean Paradise 1; TEAM 1), Tusculum 4 (Lance Moore 3; TEAM 1)
NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Southeast Regional Final