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November 18, 2012

NSU men's soccer out of NCAAs

Phoenix Staff Report

— TAHLEQUAH —  The No. 22-ranked Northeastern State men’s soccer team saw its season come to a close in the NCAA quarterfinals when No. 12 Saginaw Valley State scored a game-winning goal in the final minute of double overtime Sunday afternoon at DeLoache Field.

The two teams battled to a 0-0 tie through the first 109 minutes of play, but Zach Myers took a pass from Zach Walega and was able to send a screaming shot low far post into the net at the 109:05 mark. The two teams were a mere 55 seconds away from a penalty-kick shootout.

Saginaw Valley State (17-2-4) will now face No. 2 Simon Fraser on Nov. 29 in the NCAA semifinals in Evans, Ga. The RiverHawks ended the year at 13-5-3 despite outshooting the Cardinals by a 26-9 margin. NSU also put 11 shots on frame to just two from the visitors.

Freshman goalkeeper Eric Shephard (4-1-1) suffered his first collegiate loss after allowing the game-winning goal. He made one save in the match for NSU, which by winning 6-3 against Fort Hays State on Friday marked the first NCAA soccer tournament victory by the school. The six goals were the most scored by one team this season in any national tournament game.

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