No. 1 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) Scores Two Second-Half Goals Against Martin Methodist (Tenn.) to Stay Alive
Dec. 2, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. – (box score) No. 1 seed Lindsey Wilson survived a scare from Martin Methodist (Tenn.) coming back in the second half to take down the RedHawks 2-1 in the fourth Quarterfinal game of the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship on Wednesday at Ramirez Field. Now on a 10-match winning streak, the tournament’s No. 1 seed battles No. 5 seed Simon Fraser (B.C.) on Friday at 2 p.m. PST. SFU defeated No. 4 seed Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 1-0 earlier today.
Controlled much of the first half by Lindsey Wilson, the Blue Raiders yet found themselves down 1-0 at the intermission. On its only shot on goal in the first 45 minutes, Martin Methodist took advantage off a direct free kick. Andrew Gordon took the free kick from Stephen Doran and headed the ball into the top right corner of the goal. With 11:51 showing on the clock in the first, Martin Methodist led 1-0.
But Lindsey Wilson (18-2-1), a team that had shut out seven straight opponents coming into tonight, tied the score up after Carnell Learmond notched a goal for the second straight contest. His marker in the 52nd minute was assisted by Marko Vogeli.
Chris Ochieng provided the game-winner as he redirected a corner kick into a defender. That shot deflected into the goal in the 77th minute for his team-leading 14th strike of the year.
Overall, Martin Methodist mustered just two overall shots. Callum Christie earned the win in the net for Lindsey Wilson.
Conversely, the Blue Raiders finished with nine total shots and two on goal.
Appearing in it first Championship ever, Martin Methodist finishes its year with a 12-4-3 record. The RedHawks carried momentum into the postseason after snapping Bethel’s (Tenn.) 31-match unbeaten streak in the TranSouth Athletic Conference Championship final on Nov. 13.
Hosted by Fresno Pacific (Calif.) University and the Fresno Sports Council, the Championship will have an off-day on Thursday before Semifinal play starts up on Friday. After the Lindsey Wilson and Simon Fraser match, No. 15 The Master’s (Calif.) faces No. 3 Rio Grande (Ohio) at 4:30 p.m. PST. For more information on the Championship, click here.
NOTES: During their current 10-match winning streak, the Blue Raiders have out-scored their opponents 43-1… Lindsey Wilson improves to 38-9-4 all-time in 17 Championship appearances – the Blue Raiders face Simon Fraser, a team with 40 postseason wins… The last time Lindsey Wilson gave up a goal was against this same team, Martin Methodist, back on Oct. 24 – a span of eight games.
