Cary, NC -- The William Peace University men's soccer team defeated the Averett Cougars in the USA South East Division Semifinals in 2OT, winning 2-1. Freshman Jorge Lemus would tally his second and third goals of the season, scoring both goals for the Pacers and tallying the golden goal that would secure the Pacers a spot in the USA South East Division finals. The Pacers will host the Greensboro Pride on Friday, April 9th in the finals.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: William Peace 2, Averett College 1
• Records: William Peace (5-1-2), Averett (4-3-1)
• Location: Cary, NC

HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams started out strong with possession quickly switching back-and-forth. The Cougars put up their first shot of the night at 4:10 but it was easily stopped by the Pacer goalkeeper Jacob Smith. Andres Lopez would serve the ball in from the right side, which would go over the Averett centerbacks and bounce in the box, where Jorge Lemus would hit a one-time volley with his left foot, smashing the ball into the back of the net to give the Pacers an early 1-0 lead. The Cougars would be awarded a penalty kick at 37:11, with Johnny Kummander stepping up to take the shot. Jacob Smith would give the Pacers a chance, making an amazing save to keep WPU ahead 1-0 heading into halftime.

The Cougars would continue to pressure Smith early in the second half, with the Pacer goalkeeper continuing to make several key saves. The Pacers would put several good shots on Cougar goalkeeper Colton Dutchess, but Dutchess would keep the team at bay. The Cougars would capitalize on a blocked free kick, serving the ball back in and headed to Sebastian Widen, who would hit it in back post to tie the game 1-1 at 86:45. The game would remain tied and head to overtime.

Neither team would get any good opportunities in the first overtime, with the game remaining tied 1-1 to head into a second overtime. At 104:25 Peter Darden would play a ball in to Jorge Aguilar, who would settle and lay it back to Jorge Lemus, who would cut inside and get some space before hitting a driven shot into the right bottom corner to beat the Cougars' keeper and end the game 2-1 for the Pacers.

THE BREAKDOWN

• Jorge Lemus scored both goals for WPU, including the overtime winner.
• Jacob Smith made 10 saves in goal for the Pacers.

THE FOES

• Sebastian Widen tallied the only goal for the Cougars.
• Colton Durchess notched 10 saves for the Cougars.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Pacers will host Greensboro College next weekend in the USA South East Division Final. The exact date and time is TBD.