The Lipscomb Men’s soccer team has not seen an ASUN Final since 2010, but they ended this spell after defeating the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles this afternoon, 2-1.
Just eighteen seconds into the game, senior Ivan Sakou sailed a seemingly harmless shot through the FGCU keeper’s legs into the back of the net.
During the 28th minute, FGCU’s Dennis Zapata evened the score with a cross into the back of the net. The Eagles, attempting to take the lead, sent four more shots towards junior keeper Christopher Zappia during the remainder of the half.
At the halftime break, the Bisons and Eagles still remained tied 1-1, but the Eagles led in shots 7-4 and shots on goal 3-1.
With twenty minutes remaining in the half, junior Logan Paynter received the ball off of sophomore defender Austin Eager’s foot, before heading it into the right corner of the net, leading the game 2-1.
The Eagles refused to give up without a battle and continued firing shots on the Bisons. However, when the buzzer sounded, the Lipscomb Bisons were the champions of the 2017 ASUN Semifinals.
This victory is the first time Lipscomb has defeated FGCU since the 2007-2008 season, and the first ever triumph in the ASUN tournament.
The Bisons will play at No. 5 seed Jacksonville for the ASUN title on Saturday, November 11 at 7 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics