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William Peace University

2
Winner William Peace WPUM (8-6-3, 3-3-1)
1
N.C. Wesleyan NCWU (9-4-4, 7-0-0)
Winner
William Peace WPUM
(8-6-3, 3-3-1)
2
Final
1
N.C. Wesleyan NCWU
(9-4-4, 7-0-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT-2 F
William Peace WPUM 1 0 1 2
N.C. Wesleyan NCWU 0 1 0 1
Brennan Lagana vs. High Point 2024
Shelby Lombardo
Brennan Lagana Scored The Game-Winning Goal In OT

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | WPU Athletic Communications

Men's Soccer Wins In OT, Advances To USA South Title Game

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – No. 4 seed William Peace is headed to the USA South Championship Game for the second time in three years after slipping past top seed North Carolina Wesleyan 2-1 in overtime at Scalf Field on Wednesday.

Brennan Lagana scored the game-winning goal with 3:51 left in OT to seal the victory for the Pacers, who will travel to face No. 2 seed Brevard for the conference title Saturday, Nov. 9.

The victory was the fifth straight for the sizzling Pacers (8-6-3 overall), who are seeking their first USA South tournament crown since men's soccer started at William Peace in 2013. In 2022, the Pacers were league runners-up after falling to Brevard 2-1 in double overtime.

"I'm just so proud of the guys," WPU Head Coach Ryan Huber said. "We battled tonight versus a very good Wesleyan team. We've been saying it for a few weeks but we feel like we have a good group that can play with anyone. I'm just so happy that the guys are showing it this time of year. I'm excited for this group to have another chance to win a championship on Saturday." 

On Wednesday, Danny Romanchok set up the winning score for the Pacers. He cut in front of a pass intended for a N.C. Wesleyan player on the Battling Bishops' end of the field. Romanchok passed immediately to a wide-open Lagana, who was just outside the penalty box. Only the goalie stood between Lagana and the net.

Lagana drilled the ball past the goalie into the back of the net, touching off a celebration as his teammates mobbed him after the sudden-death goal.

In NCAA soccer, teams play two sudden-victory 10-minute overtime periods if the game is tied after regulation. The first team to score wins the game. If the game is still tied, a penalty-kick tiebreaker will determine the winner.

The Pacers handed N.C. Wesleyan (9-4-4 overall) its first loss to a conference team this season. The Battling Bishops gained the No. 1 seed after going unbeaten in USA South games in the regular season. N.C. Wesleyan had a first-round bye while the Pacers topped Methodist 3-0 at home last weekend to reach the semifinals.

The red-hot Pacers continued their sizzling play against the Battling Bishops, outshooting the hosts 10-5 in the first half. Their torrid offensive attack led to a Romanchok goal for a 1-0 halftime lead. Ausar Omwenga assisted on the first-half goal.

But the momentum switched in the second half. The Battling Bishops attempted more shots (13-3) and more corner kicks (6-1) which eventually resulted in a goal to tie the score 1-1. It was the first goal allowed by the Pacers in three games.

The game remained deadlocked 1-1 at the end of regulation. In overtime, the Battling Bishops missed on a header before their season ended suddenly on Lagana's goal.

But the Pacers' season isn't over. They will be playing for the championship Saturday.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Scoring Summary

Scoring Summary
Scoring Team Scoring Play
32:26
WPUM Danny Romanchok (2)
Assisted By: Ausar Omwenga
GOAL by WPUM Romanchok, Danny Assist by Omwenga, Ausar.
67:43
NCWU Bastien Dechamps (4)
Assisted By: Tobie Smith
GOAL by NCWU Dechamps, Bastien Assist by Smith, Tobie.
96:09
WPUM Brennan Lagana (3)
Assisted By: Danny Romanchok
GOAL by WPUM Lagana, Brennan Assist by Romanchok, Danny.

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