Mars Hill Advances in NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Championship

MARS HILL, N.C. -- Mars Hill defeated Montevallo in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championships Wednesday night in the Ammons Family Athletic Center and Meares Stadium. Mars Hill improved to 12-5-1 on the year while the Falcons end their season, 12-5-4.

Mars Hill head coach Ian Clerihew commented after the win, "It was a great performance by our guys. Every player did a great job. It was a great, first, postseason win for Mars Hill in the history of the program against a very good Montevallo team and to get the shutout at home as well was awesome. We are excited and looking forward to moving on to the next round."

Stephen Bivens scored two goals in the win and Alex Mullen added the same number of assists in the contest. The Lions advance to face Coker College in the next round on November 11. The Cobras are the no. 1 seed in the Southeast Regional. The match, which will take place in Hartsville, S.C., is set to begin at 7 p.m. Click here for coverage at Coker's regional website.

Bivens gave the Lions a 1-0 advantage at the 18:15 mark when he scored from eight yards out on a cross from Alex Mullen. Bivens added another first half goal at the 31:13 mark when he scored off a rebound sent in again by Mullens. Mars Hill outshot Montevallo, 11-6 in the opening frame. Six of the Lions' shots were on goal. The Falcons edged the Lions in corner kicks in the first half, 4-1.

Brandon Tardioli recorded an insurance goal at the 87:38 mark to make the final tally, 3-0 in favor of the Lions. Tardioli found the back of the net from nine yards out on a pass from Giovanni Malnati.

MHC outshot the Falcons, 18-16. Montevallo had eight more corner kicks (9-1) than the Lions. Zac Scott played all 90 minutes in goal for Mars Hill and made eight saves. The Lions recorded their ninth shutout of the season that tied the existing school record. Scott recorded his seventh season shutout that also tied the school record. Scott posted seven shutouts in 2010 as well. Pat Piscitelli (1998) and Sean Merfeld (2007) are the other two Lion goalkeepers to post seven shutouts for MHC in a single season. Brendan Ledgeway played the entire match in the net for the Falcons and made five saves.

Montevallo head coach Ken Hassler stated, "It was a great game between two very good teams. Mars Hill played extremely well and got a couple of early goals. We did not track men through the middle (early). The game itself was a display of very good soccer. Both teams got a lot of attacking chances. The difference tonight was Mars Hill put their shots in and we didn't. I am very proud of my guys and the way they played and it was an exciting match tonight."

- Courtesy Mars Hill Media Relations