CCU

Men's Soccer Defeats VMI, Advances to Semifinals of Big South Tournament

       

Men's Soccer Defeats VMI, Advances to Semifinals of Big South Tournament

RADFORD, Va. – Three first-half goals from three different team members propelled the top-seeded Coastal Carolina men’s soccer team past eighth-seeded VMI Thursday, Nov. 13, in the first round of the 2003 Big South Men’s Soccer Tournament at Patrick D. Cupp Memorial Stadium on the campus of Radford University.

First to score for the Chanticleers was freshman Bobby Zimmer, netting his first collegiate goal in the 16th minute of play. The second goal of the match came 20 minutes later as sophomore Ryan Johnson, also scoring his first collegiate goal, connected on a rebound off a missed shot by junior Itayi Pondwa to put the Chants up 2-0.

Senior Joseph Ngwenya, who was named the 2003 Big South Player and Scholar-Athlete of the Year at last night’s tournament banquet, then hit the insurance goal with 18 seconds left in the first period to clinch CCU’s victory.

Coastal outshot the Keydets 21-5 and held an 11-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Senior goalkeeper Andy Paxton played the entire 90 minutes, grabbing his third shutout of the season. Keydets keeper Brian Douglas also was in the net for the duration of the match, and recorded seven saves.

The ninth-ranked Chants advance to 16-2-0 on the season with their ninth straight win and will take on Winthrop in semifinal action tomorrow, Nov, 14, at 4 p.m. The Eagles defeated UNC Asheville in the first match of the tournament today, 5-1. The match will be StatCast live on the Big South’s website.