Men's Soccer Visits Brevard For USA South Championship Saturday

Daniel Romanchok Keyed The Pacers' Semifinal Victory

RALEIGH, N.C. - No. 4 seed William Peace will play for the USA South men's soccer title for the second time in three years on Saturday, Nov. 9.

The Pacers will travel to face two-time defending champion and No. 2 seed Brevard in the finals at 3 p.m. The contest is a rematch of two years ago when both teams met for the conference crown in Cary, N.C. William Peace fell 2-1 in overtime but it was the program's highest finish joining the USA South in 2014.

William Peace, seeded fourth, will attempt to capture its first league title in the history of the program, which started in 2013. It would also be the school's first championship in any sport since joining the USA South in 2003.

The Pacers reached the title game by eliminating top-seed N.C. Wesleyan 2-1 in overtime Wednesday. N.C. Wesleyan was unbeaten in conference games during the regular season.

William Peace won in dramatic fashion. Brennan Lagana scored the game-winning goal on a close shot late in the extra period to stun the No. 1 seed Battling Bishops. Daniel Romanchok passed to a wide-open Lagana after a steal near the Bishops' goal.

The victory was the fifth in a row for the red-hot Pacers, who have not lost in nearly a month. They have outscored their opponents 13-2 during the win streak.

Several players have sparked the Pacers this season. Jorge Lemus leads the team with eight goals and is tied for the team assist lead with three. Ausar Omwenga and Nathan Cochran each have three assists and Omwenga has six goals.

Gavin Beaupre has three goals and two assists and Lagana has three goals and one assist. Romanchok has two goals and one assist and Ethan Gillette has one goal and two assists.

Zach Marlier, a stellar midfielder and defender, has one goal. Goalkeeper Ayden Miller has been the starter during the streak, and he has allowed only two goals.

The trio of Beaupre, Lemus and Marlier earned all-conference honors this week.

Brevard has the league player of the year (Ryan Lynch) and the rookie of the year (Vitor Razera). Lynch leads the Tornados with 10 goals and 11 assists.

Ironically, the Pacers' last loss was to Brevard (1-0) on Oct. 12. At the time, the Pacers were winless in the conference. After reeling off five straight wins, the Pacers are back at Brevard to challenge for the title.

Below are live video and live stats links:

Live Video: HERE

Live Stats: HERE

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Players Mentioned

#4 Gavin Beaupre: M/D; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#15 Nathan Cochran: M; 5' 9"; Junior

#19 Ethan Gillette: M; 5' 11"; Junior

#11 Brennan Lagana: F; 6' 1"; Senior

#7 Jorge Lemus: F; 5' 9"; Senior

#1 Ayden Miller: GK; 6' 4"; Junior

#12 Daniel Romanchok: M; 5' 10"; Junior

#22 Zach Marlier: D; 6' 0"; Freshman

#21 Ausar Omwenga: F; 6' 0"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#4 Gavin Beaupre
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: M/D

#15 Nathan Cochran
: 5' 9"; Junior
: M

#19 Ethan Gillette
: 5' 11"; Junior
: M

#11 Brennan Lagana
: 6' 1"; Senior
: F

#7 Jorge Lemus
: 5' 9"; Senior
: F

#1 Ayden Miller
: 6' 4"; Junior
: GK

#12 Daniel Romanchok
: 5' 10"; Junior
: M

#22 Zach Marlier
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: D

#21 Ausar Omwenga
: 6' 0"; Junior
: F