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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
MSOC-Champs20161113
Todd Drexler | Big South Conference
0
Longwood LWU (8-12-1)
1
Winner Radford RAD (14-3-2)
Longwood LWU
(8-12-1)
0
Final
1
Radford RAD
(14-3-2)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Longwood LWU 0 0 0
Radford RAD 0 1 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

RADFORD WINS FIRST BIG SOUTH TOURNAMENT SINCE 2000



MATCH INFORMATION
  • Score: No. 1 Radford 1, No. 6 Longwood 0
  • Records: No. 1 Radford (14-3-2) | No. 6 Longwood (8-12-1)
  • Location: Cupp Stadium | Radford, Va.  

RADFORD, Va.  – After a 16-year absence, Radford returned as the kings of the Big South, winning their first Big South Tournament Championship since 2000 with a 1-0 decision over sixth seeded Longwood for their 10th shutout of the season. With the win, Radford earned its first championship sweep in program history. 

In what looked to be the second consecutive overtime tournament match for the Highlanders, the two Commonwealth foes were locked in a defensive battle through the first 80 minutes of the contest.
 
Radford attempted seven corner kicks, before Fraser Colmer lined the ball up on the right side of the field and put a nicely placed ball into the box. Lancer goalkeeper Carlos Canas cleared the corner kick, but a hustling Colmer regained possession of the clear, sending a cross into the six-yard box from the right flank.
 
Only playing 11 minutes in the match, Sivert Daehlie made the most of his time on the pitch, heading in Colmer's cross for his fourth game winning goal of the season in the 84th minute.
 
With only six minutes remaining in the contest, Longwood made a late charge down the field. Marten Pajunurm just missed knotting the match off a Dan Campos corner kick in the 89th minute as the Pajunurm shot missed wide.
 
A well-prepared Longwood defense held the Highlanders to only three shots on frame in the match. Radford's best opportunity in the first half came off a Colmer set piece from the right side, just in front of the box. The junior curved the ball to the far right post as Canas was there to get a hand on the ball.
 
Longwood came out of the gate with an offensive attack with four shots in the first 20 minutes of the match. The 13th minute saw Finnaly Wyatt test Aitor Pouseu Blanco's reflexes, but a world-class diving save by the Vigo, Spain native kept the Lancers off the board.
 
As the final horn sounded, Pouseu Blanco secured his 25th career clean sheet for a new Big South record on his way to earning tournament MVP honors.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
  • Radford punched its ticket for their second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, marking the first time since 1999-2000 that the Highlander have achieved the feat.
  • The NCAA Tournament appearance is the fourth in program history.
  • Bismark Amofah, Fraser Colmer, Jo Vetle Rimstad and Aitor Pouseu Blanco were named to the Big South's All-Tournament Team.
  • The Highlanders finished with a 10-8 shot advantage, totaling eight shots in the second half. Radford edged Longwood in shots on goal, 3-2.
  • Radford finished the match with eight corner kicks, finishing the tournament with 20.
  • Sivert Daehlie's game winning goal is the 11th of his career.
  • Victor Valls and Evan Szklennik led the team with two shots each.
  • Garland Smith, Colmer and Daehlie totaled the shots on frame.
  • Pouseu Blanco finished with two saves, giving him 54 on the year.
  • His 10  shutouts on the season is a new program record and ranks tied for second in league history.
 
QUOTABLE
  • "To win the regular season, earn the top seed and cap it off with a tournament championship is incredible. Longwood was well-prepared and organized for the match. They have some unbelievable attacking threats. Our team did a good job at wearing them down and eventually finding the game winning goal. I am very happy for our seniors to accomplish something that hasn't been done in 16 years. We knew if we wanted to get back to the NCAA Tournament that this was the path. I want to thank the fans that came out to the two tournament games. They were electric. This is the type of atmosphere that we need for all of our home events. ~ Radford head coach Marc Reeves.
 
UP NEXT                     
  • Radford will await its first round matchup as the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship show is scheduled for Monday at 1 p.m.
  • Fans can watch the selection show here or join the Highlanders on campus for a selection show viewing.
  • Follow Radford men's soccer on Twitter for more details on the viewing.
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