Tusculum Wins 2009 Food Lion SAC Men’s Soccer Tournament With 2-0 Win Over Mars Hill

ROCK HILL, S.C. --- Anteneh Lemma scored his fourth goal of the Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Men's Soccer Tournament, and Lance Moore made three saves to record a shutout and lead Tusculum College to its second consecutive SAC Tournament title on Sunday at Manchester Meadows Soccer Complex with a 2-0 win over Mars Hill College.

Tusculum controlled the run of play for much of the match despite Mars Hill holding a 15-10 advantage in shots on the afternoon. The Pioneers edged the Lions 7-6 in attempts on goal in the first half; Mars Hill outshot TC 9-3 in the second half. Moore made three saves to notch his second clean sheet of the season, which also marks the 20th shutout of his storied collegiate career at Tusculum.

Lemma scored his team-leading 11th goal of the season and Andres Jarquin netted a highlight reel goal late in the first half to provide the scoring in the match. Marc Jospeh notched his first and second assists of the season, while Nick Rich chipped in his team-leading ninth helper of the campaign.

The Pioneers struck first early in the 23 rd minute when Joseph delivered a perfect through ball into a streaking Lemma, putting the senior midfielder in prime position to slot it inside the near post to give TC the initial 1-0 advantage. Jarquin then scored one of the season's most memorable goals midway through the 34th minute, delivering a brilliant bicycle kick into the back of the net from seven yards distance for his sixth goal of the campaign and a 2-0 Tusculum lead.

Tusculum's Andres Jarquin does a bicycle kick to score against Mars Hill during Sunday's 2009 Food Lion Men's Soccer Tournament.

Moore and Tusculum's backline stymied the Mars Hill attack for the remainder of the match, denying the Lions on several occasions to notch their third clean sheet of the season.

The Pioneers placed four players on the SAC All-Tournament team, including Lemma, the tournament MVP with four goals in TC's three matches. Sven Meyer, Nick Rich, and Lucas Paulini also earned a spot on the all-tournament team, while Mars Hill's Rury Caulfield, Xavi Belles, and Alex Huckabee were also recognized for their tremendous performances.

Tusculum now awaits word on a bid to the NCAA Division II national tournament. The field will be announced later this weekend.

2009 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference All-Tournament Team

Daniel Zitt, Carson-Newman
Omar Cooke, Carson-Newman
Luke Mulholland, Wingate
Corey McCollom, Wingate
Rury Caulfield, Mars Hill
Xavi Belles, Mars Hill
Alex Huckabee, Mars Hill
Sven Meyer, Tusculum
Nick Rich, Tusculum
Lucas Paulini, Tusculum
Anteneh Lemma, Tusculum (MVP)

The 2009 Food Lion Men's Soccer All-Tournament team, from left: Lucas Paulini, Tusculum; Anteneh Lemma, Tusculum, MVP; Alex Huckaabee, Mars Hill; Nick Rich, Tusculum; Xavi Belles, Mars Hill; Sven Meyer, Tusculum; and Rury Caulfield, Mars Hill. Not pictured Daniel Zitt, Carson-Newman; Omar Cooke, Carson-Newman; Luke Mulholland, Wingate and Corey McCollom, Wingate.