Tampa Rallies To Beat Tusculum In Overtime In NCAA Men’s Soccer Quarterfinal Match

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Lister Warren tapped in the winning goal with 90 seconds remaining in the second overtime as No. 11 Tampa rallied to edge fifth-ranked Tusculum 3-2 Sunday afternoon at Pioneer Field in a national quarterfinal match of the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship.

With the victory, the Spartans (18-3-1) advance to the NCAA Final Four, which Tampa will host Dec. 5-7. Tusculum (20-3-1) ends its magical postseason run as the Pioneers made its second NCAA Elite Eight appearance in the last five years.

Tusculum came out on fire scoring two goals in the first 33 minutes. Southeast Region Player of the Year Bruno Conceicão curled in a strike inside the far post at the 14:02 mark for a 1-0 TC lead. The goal, which was Conceicào's 24th of the season, was assisted by Anteneh Lemma and Lucas Paulini.

The Pioneers added another marker in the 33rd minute when Corey McPherson got a brilliant run down the middle and blasted a shot from 25 yards out into the top corner of the goal for a 2-0 Tusculum lead. For McPherson, it was his seventh scoring tally of the year as Tusculum led by a pair of goals heading into intermission.

At the 65:53 mark, the Spartans made their push when Ryan Griffin headed in a crossing pass by Zach Fraser to cut the deficit in half at 2-1. Fraser and Dan Ingvarsson both assisted on Griffin's second goal of the campaign.

In the 79th minute, Tampa went down a man when Griffin received a red card for his hard foul to the head of Tusculum's Telmo Dantes. The Spartans would still apply pressure being a player down and at the 84:40 mark, Pascal Milien was fouled in the back left corner of the box, setting up a penalty kick. Ingvarsson's ensuing kick found the lower left corner of the net, just past the diving Lance Moore to square the fray at 2-2.

Tusculum went on the offensive in the final five minutes of regulation, out-shooting the Spartans 5-0 down the stretch with UT keeper Ryan Thompson answering with a pair of saves.

Following a scoreless first overtime, Tusculum got back on the attack in the second extra period. Conceicão hit a shot from the right wing that was on frame, but Thompson tipped the ball away for his ninth save of the afternoon.

Tusculum had another scoring chance in the 107th minute as Scott Lucky sent in a corner kick that found the foot of Phillip Hagen who deflected the pass on goal. But not enough for the score as Fraser cleared the ball off the back line.

Tampa took the possession and Milien raced up the left side into Tusculum territory and was fouled by Conceicão, sending Milien hard to the ground. Conceicão was booked with a yellow card, his second of the match as both teams were now at even strength. Milien was assisted off the field and was replaced by Warren. Just moments later, Ingvarsson sent in a direct kick from 25 yards out, which was stopped initially by Moore. But the rebound went to the left of the TC keeper and Warren deflected in the match-winner from two yards out to send the Spartans to the NCAA semifinal in two weeks.

Tusculum out-shot the Spartans by a 21-16 margin, including six shots by Conceicão, which four were on goal. Ingvarsson led all players with seven shots as he finished with a goal and an assist in the victory.

"You have to give credit to Tusculum," said Tampa coach Adrian Bush. "They are one of the best teams we have played all year. It was a hard fought match and it was shame there had to be loser, because both teams put it all on the line. We are very fortunate to be here and I'm very happy for our university, our soccer program and the family who has been behind us."

"I'm very proud of our team and want to thank our seniors," said Tusculum head coach Brett Teach. "In the end the true star of our team has been our team. I know that is a cliché, but that is what you want it to be. We put together a group that really cares about each other and they fight hard and battle. We can still hold our heads high. I can't help but to be proud of this bunch and we will live to play again."

Tusculum's 20 wins are a new school single-season record for the Pioneers.

#11 Tampa vs #5 Tusculum (Nov 23, 2008 at Greeneville, Tenn.)

Tampa (18-3-1) vs. Tusculum (20-3-1)
Date: Nov 23, 2008 Attendance: 522

Goals by period 1 2 OT O2 Tot
-------------------------------------
Tampa............... 0 2 0 1 - 3
Tusculum............ 2 0 0 0 - 2

SCORING SUMMARY:

1. 14:02 TCM Bruno Conceicao (24) (Anteneh Lemma;Lucas Paulini) - Curling strike inside far post after pair of touch passes
2. 32:11 TCM Corey McPherson (7) (unassisted) - Run down the middle, blast into top right corner from 25 yards
3. 65:53 UTM Ryan Griffin (2) (Zach Fraser;Dan Ingvarsson) - Cross from Fraser, headed in by Griffin
4. 84:40 UTM Dan Ingvarsson (7) Penalty kick
5. 107:30 UTM Lister Warren (10) (David Mitchell) - Free kick swung in by Ingvarsson, rebound knocked in by Warren

Shots: Tampa 16, Tusculum 21
Saves: Tampa 10 (Ryan Thompson 9; TEAM 1), Tusculum 5 (Lance Moore 5)
2008 NCAA Division II National Quarterfinal