October 28, 2006
Monarchs Advance to USA South Tournament Semifinals
Sophomore Brandon Cunningham scores game-winning goal in 85th minute

FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The Methodist men's soccer team hosted the Shenandoah Hornets in the first round of the USA South Tournament on Tuesday.  With no score at halftime, the Monarchs finished in the second half to defeat the Hornets 2-1.  The Monarchs move to 14-4-1 overall while Shenandoah concludes their season at 4-11-2.

Shenandoah dominated the shot count in the first half leading 10-2 but neither team was able to finish their chances.  The Monarchs came back out pressuring in the second half and freshman Ime Umoh connected with junior Andy White who split the defense to feed sophomore Evan Monteiro.  In the 85th minute, the Monarchs took the 2-0 lead with a goal by sophomore Brandon Cunningham.  The front line started pushing against the Shenandoah defense, when Cunningham passed the ball off to Monteiro.  Umoh was ahead of the defense in an offsides position but stayed out of the play to frustrate Shenandoah.  Instead of passing to Umoh, Monteiro gave it back to Cunningham who ran onto the ball and slotted it home for goal.  The Hornets came back down the other end and scored one of their own, but the Monarchs held on for the 2-1 win.

With the win, the Monarchs will travel to face the Christopher Newport Captains on Friday night at 7:30 pm.  The winner of the semifinal match will face the winner of NC Wesleyan and Greensboro on Saturday at 7 pm.