DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University Men's Soccer team, ranked #15 in the most recent United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll, and seeded No. 1 in the RMAC Men's Soccer Conference Tournament, tied No. 5 Westminster University (Utah) in the RMAC Semifinals at the Regis Turf Fields on Wednesday night, 0-0, but advanced to the championship on penalty kicks, 5-4. The Rangers move to 11-3-4 (8-1-1 RMAC), while the Griffins end their season, 8-7-5 (5-4-1 RMAC).
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Rangers got early shots from Jacobo Betancourt-Tovar and Liam Corr, as well as a shot on goal by Joakim Gunnar. Gunnar would take his second SOG 10 minutes later, before WU managed their first attempt of the game, a shot saved by Zach Jennings in the 30th minute. While Michael Ajagbe added a shot on goal header, the teams would close out the half trading off-target shots.
The Rangers kept the offensive pressure on, taking the first five shots of the second in 10 minutes. Corr and Betancourt-Tovar had shots blocked, while Jackson Hammons had one saved as the Griffin defense held stout. The Rangers' defense, however, matched and beat the effort, not allowing a single shot in the entire second half. Ben Christian Wittenbernds took the last shot of regulation with just under seven minutes to play, but the match went to overtime.
Tom Devonport took the only shot on goal of the first overtime period, coming less than three minutes in. RU outshot WU 4-1 in the period, and took two more corners.
The second overtime was the opposite, with Westminster taking the only two shots. The Griffins got off two shots in quick succession, but a diving Jennings sustained the deadlock.
The match would be decided in a shootout, and Regis converted all five of their attempts. Betancourt-Tovar, Sahar Golov, Corr, Blaise Richard, and Johan Murrillo all connected. Westminster made their first four, but went wide on their fifth, so Murillo's score would prove to be the winner, advancing RU to the RMAC Championship.
GAME NOTES
· Jennings, Devonport, Abram Wilson, Wittenbernds and Betancourt-Tovar all played all 110 minutes
· Regis outshot Westminster, 12 (7) – 7 (3)
· RU took three more corners, 8-5
· Gunnar took six shots for RU with three on target
UP NEXT
Regis will host the RMAC Tournament Championship match against No. 3 Fort Lewis College on Saturday, Nov 7 at 7 pm.
