LANDER WINS PBC MEN'S SOCCER TOURNAMENT IN PK SHOOTOUT 4-3

EVANS, GA – Tournament MVP Jamie Ramm scored twice in regulation and goalkeeper Matthew Atkinson made two saves in a penalty-kick shootout as Lander defeated Flagler to win the 2009 PBC Men’s Soccer Tournament on Sunday evening at Blanchard Woods Park. The tournament, part of the PBC-GEICO Championship series, was tied 2-2 following regulation and two overtime periods. Lander won the title with a 4-3 edge in a penalty kick shootout.

The Bearcats (12-5-2) win their second PBC Tournament title in the last four years as they made their 12th overall finals appearance. Flagler (14-5-2) was making their first tournament appearance after joining the Peach Belt Conference this fall.

The match got off to a quick start as Lander scored just 3:57 into play. Craig Hughes, who launched throw-ins from long distances all night, tossed a ball 30 yards on a throw to Ramm, who headed it past Flagler keeper Matt Gilman.

Flagler answered quickly with a goal 10 minutes later as Joseph Toby sent a cross to the top of the box where Mack Hough slid it home to tie the game. The score remained tied at one into halftime.

Flagler took their first lead of the game in the second half at the 58:34 mark. Following a near miss on a shot by Lander’s Ben ones, the Saints counterattacked down the right side. Johan Bergfeld chipped a ball into the middle where Pol Bereguer headed it home.

That goal seemed to awaken the Lander offense, which got off to a sluggish start in the second half. Barely three minutes later, the Bearcats tied the game on a fast break as Ramm finished off a point-blank shot after a skillful pass in from Stephen Magennis.

The two teams played the final 29 minutes of regulation evenly, Lander held a 13-12 shot advantage after 90 minutes.

The first overtime period belonged to Flagler, who spent much of the period on the Lander half of the field. Hough took the only shot of the first OT as he tried to one-time a crossing pass, but it was blocked by the Lander defense.

The Bearcats answered by dominating the second OT period, outshooting Flagler 4-2. David Winskill had the best opportunity to end the game as he made a sliding effort at a crossing ball that was just wide of the goal.

Flagler took the first shot of the penalty kick shootout and Eoin Cassin converted, followed by Lander’s Adam Arthur, who also scored. The Bearcats got the advantage on Flagler’s second kick as Hough’s shot was turned away by Atkinson, who dove to his left to make the save.

Lander’s Winskill then made his shot, as did Flagler’s Greg Taafe. Craig Hughes kept the momentum for Lander with a score on the next shot, but the Bearcats went up two as Atkinson made another save on a straight shot from Flagler’s Kevin Partel.

Lander left the door open a crack as Aaron Brittain’s attempt sailed wide, but after a make from Flagler’s Danny Burke, Stephen Magennis won the tournament with his penalty kick for a 4-3 final advantage.

The PK shootout was the second in championship game history, the other also decided 4-3 as USC Upstate beat UNC Pembroke in 2003.

Lander and Flagler will now both await the announcement of the 24-team field for the 2009 NCAA Southeast Regional. There are no automatic bids for the NCAA field, which will be announced on Monday at 7:00 pm.

Boxscore

All-Tournament Team

Alex Lewis – USC Aiken
Alden Brooks – Francis Marion
Ben Tayi – North Georgia
Juan Diego Castillo – UNC Pembroke
Daniel Pelletier – Montevallo
Arran McCarthy – Montevallo
Kyle Timm - Clayton State
Igor Lukic - Clayton State
Johan Bergfeld – Flagler
Ryan Endrizzi – Flagler
Steven Carothers – Flagler
Craig Hughes – Lander
Samy Beydoun – Lander
Matthew Atkinson – Lander

Tournament MVP
Jamie Ramm - Lander