November 1, 2005
Monarchs edge Ferrum 2-1, advance to USA South Tournament semifinals

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Survival of the fittest was the best description of Tuesday’s Methodist-Ferrum USA South Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Tournament quarterfinals. And it was Methodist that survived and advanced.

Spearheaded by a late goal by Andy White, the Monarchs rallied for a 2-1 victory at the Monarch Soccerplex. The victory improves Methodist to 7-11-1 overall, and the Monarchs advance to the USA South Tournament semifinals for the fourth time in the last five years.

With the score tied 1-1 in the second half, Methodist’s Brandon Cunningham took control of the ball on the left wing, and lofted a pass to White in the penalty box. White then squeaked a back-kick shot past Ferrum goalkeeper Ryan Schilling for what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 79th minute.

Ferrum (13-7) took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute when Jason Haynes took a loose ball at the top of the penalty box and scored from 20 yards out. However, Methodist gained the equalizer in the 34th minute when the Monarchs’ Evan Monteiro stole the ball from Ferrum’s Wusu Sesay and scored from 15 yards out unassisted.

Methodist goalkeeper Jeremy Belnap recorded four saves in the victory, as did his Ferrum counterpart Schilling.

Methodist plays at North Carolina Wesleyan on Friday at 2:30 p.m. in the USA South semifinals.