FULTON, MO – The #5 seeded Principia men's soccer team traveled out to Fulton on Saturday to take on the #4 Westminster Blue Jays in the first round of the SLIAC Tournament.
The game was an extremely even battle throughout regulation with neither team able to break through with a goal. Both teams had multiple high danger chances but could not convert thanks to big saves and/or good defensive plays.
Tied at 0-0 after 90 minutes, the game went to two periods of 10 minute sudden death overtime. In the first overtime, Westminster registered three shots on goal but none found the back of the net. In the second overtime, Principia took control of the play and registered three shots on goal of the own. Still without a deciding goal after 110 minutes, the quarterfinal went to a penalty kick shootout to decide a winner.
The Blue Jays and Panthers each converted their first two PKs with
Effenberg Joya and
Damilola Odunuga calmly slotting home their attempts. On Westminster's third attempt, Panthers freshman goalie
Edgar Cartagena guess correctly on his dive and saved the shot with his leg to give Principia the upper hand. Then after
Diego Alas snuck his shot in the bottom left corner past the outstretched Westminster goalie, Cartagena guessed right once again – this time making the save with his glove – to get the Panthers on the cusp of victory.
Sebastian Castro stepped up and slammed his shot into the top left corner to win the game as he ran into the waiting arms of his countryman Cartagena. The entire team rushed the field and mobbed Cartagena to celebrate the upset win on the road.
Principia now advances to face #1 seed Greenville University in the conference semifinals on their campus at 12:00 PM on Thuursday, November 6th. If they win, the finals will take place at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 8th hosted by Greenville. Just like at Westminster, Principia students, faculty, and staff who would like to attend the games can get in free with their Prin ID.
