CARY, N.C. - The Pacers took the field at WakeMed soccer park for the last time in the 2025 regular season, as they celebrated their 4 seniors (Ayden Miller, Ethan Gillette, Ausar Omwenga, and Nathan Cochran) before the match. As the sun set and the temperature dropped, the tension spiked as Peace looked to stay in the race for the top seed in the USA South conference tournament.
The Monarchs of Methodist University were the opponent of the evening, looking for a good result to boost their own seeding push.
It was obvious right away that both teams understood the importance of this game. Neither team wanted to make the first move, and not one shot came in the first 20 minutes.
Methodist got the first shot off in the 21st minute, missing the frame wide. The monarchs got a couple more chances soon after the first, one prompting Ayden Miller into his first save of the night.
Peace came up with a response, putting their first shot on frame. Topher Johnson's shot was saved by Monarch goalkeeper Trey Gohr.
Peace didn't get another chance on net, and Methodist went into the halftime break with a slight advantage in shots and shots on goal in what was unfolding as a defensive slugfest.
Senior Ausar Omwenga did his best to flip the script of the game, getting a shot off in the first minute of the second half, but it missed the frame.
More defense followed the almost instant chance, until Methodist forced another Miller save in the 54th minute.
Both teams made a few subs, trying to get any sort of offense generated. One of those subs, Peace freshman Santiago Escobar, made his presence felt quickly. Escobar finished a ball from fellow reserve Ehmuler Hser, giving Peace a 1-0 lead.
A ginormous goal it was for the rookie, as it put the Pacers atop the conference standings is the score held.
Methodist tried to answer in the 80th minute, but Miller was up to the task again, keeping the sheet clean for the moment.
Another chance came for the Monarchs in the 84th, and it was a rocket. The Monarch equalized with just 5 minutes left in the game, spoiling the Pacer's clean road at a first round bye.
The 1-1 tie would be the final, and Peace tied their 3rd conference game of the year. With the points system in soccer, Peace gains 1 point in the standings, sliding them down to 3rd.
For those wondering about scenarios, Peace would need a win at Greensboro in their final regular season game of the year, AND need a NC Wesleyan loss or tie, who is at Methodist on the same day.
Wednesday, October 29 will be a day of scoreboard watching and tough matchups as Peace looks to put themselves in the best position possible to defend their 2024 USA South crown.
