2014 MEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET (PDF)
Statesboro, Ga. – The Georgia Southern men’s soccer team advanced to the 2014 Sun Belt Conference Men’s Soccer Championship final with a thrilling 2-1 victory against in-state rival Georgia State in the semifinals at Eagle Field on Friday night.
Georgia Southern junior Emmanuel Raji notched the game-winning tally after freshman Adam Abdellaoui dashed down the right side and crossed a perfect pass to a charging Raji. Raji lunged forward and caught the pass with his right foot, shooting it past Georgia State senior goalkeeper CJ Cochran and pushing the Eagles ahead in the 79th minute.
The Panthers were unable to respond as Georgia Southern only allowed one shot on goal in the second half. Eagles junior goalkeeper Jack Falle finished the match with five saves to earn the victory. Georgia Southern moved to 7-8-0 on the season and advances to face the No. 1 seed Hartwick on Sunday. The match is set to begin at 1 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN3.
Georgia Southern and Georgia State played to a 1-1 draw at halftime. Georgia State opened the scoring when sophomore forward Amiri Abraham fired a shot that ricocheted off Georgia Southern junior goalkeeper Jack Falle that left a rebound inside the box. Abraham one-timed the rebound past Falle and the Panthers struck first in the sixth minute on Abraham’s third goal of the season.
Georgia Southern responded in the 15th minute when senior forward Ethan LaPan fed a pass to junior Eric Dinka at the top of the 18-yard box on the left side. Dinka turned and wired a low shot past Georgia State senior goalkeeper CJ Cochran to even the match at the 14:54-mark. The goal was Dinka’s fifth of the season.
Georgia State fell to 8-9-0 on the season. Senior goalkeeper CJ Cochran took the loss after he made one save in the match.
The 2014 Sun Belt Conference Men’s Soccer Championship final is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 16, at 1:00 p.m. ET and will be available for viewing on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app.
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