DURHAM, N.H. – No. 1 seed New Hampshire and second seeded Bryant were locked in a scoreless overtime duel until the Bulldogs scored in the 102nd minute. They managed to hold off the defending champions off the board for the final eight minutes to win the program’s first conference title.
Bryant’s Jonas Lyshoj played the hero as he ripped a beautiful shot past Joseba Incera at 101:43 for the go-ahead goal. However, the game wouldn’t have gotten that far without the efforts of the #AEMSOC Championship Most Outstanding Player Antreas Hadjigavriel. The Bulldog keeper finished with nine saves for his nation-leading 14th shutout of the season.
In addition to Hadjigavriel, Inigo Villaldea, Jonas Lyshoj and Kerman Sukia were also named to the All-Championship Team for Bryant. Isaac Heffess, Liam Bennett and Georgios Koilniatis were named to the All-Championship Team
It was a battle throughout the first half as neither team was able to create many scoring chances. UNH finished with a 9-2 shot advantage in the opening 45 minutes, forcing Hadjigavriel to make four saves.
The second half was much more even in shots (6-4). UNH’s best chance in regulation came in the 75th minute as Eli Goldman appeared to have a breakaway opportunity but Hadjigavriel saw the play develop and charged the ball in the box to get a foot on it before Goldman had a chance to collect himself for the shot. Hadjigavriel also made a diving save seven minutes later on a tough shot by Taig Healy.
In the first overtime, Bryant had the chance to take a lead, but Joseba Incera charged a bounding ball in the box and was able to punch it out of harm’s way before the Bryant attacked could make a play on the ball.
Jonas Lyshoj gave the Bulldogs the lead for good in the 102nd minute when he dribbled into the near side of the box and with a defender on him ripped a shot past Incera into the far upper corner.
With the win, the Bulldogs punched their ticket to the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship for the first time. They will learn their tournament fate during the NCAA Selection Show, which takes place on Monday at 1 p.m. on NCAA.com.
New Hampshire’s Eli Goldman earned the Elite 18 Award. Goldman had a 3.84 GPA as an undergraduate and is currently pursuing his MBA.
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