UNCW TOPS NORTHEASTERN 1-0 TO CAPTURE FIRST CAA MEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
BOXSCORE
WILMINGTON, N.C. (November 15, 2009) – Junior Nassim Berhouni’s goal with only 3:36 remaining in regulation lifted top-seeded UNC Wilmington to a 1-0 victory over #3 Northeastern in the title game of the CAA Men’s Soccer Championship on Sunday afternoon at UNCW Soccer Stadium.
The CAA men’s soccer championship is the first ever for UNC Wilmington (14-2-4), which extended its school-record unbeaten streak to 13 games and also tied the school mark for victories in a season. The Seahawks advance to the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship for the first time and will find out their first-round opponent on Monday evening. Northeastern, which was making its second consecutive appearance in the CAA title game, dropped to 10-8-1 with the loss.
The game-winning play was set up when sophomore Christian Davidson lofted a long throw-in from the left side into the middle of the box. Berhouni gathered the ball after one bounce and beat NU goalkeeper Scott Partridge from eight yards out. It was Berhouni’s third goal of the year and his first game-winner.
Northeastern out-shot the Seahawks 16-7, but UNCW got an excellent effort from junior goalkeeper Brock Duckworth, who made four saves and recorded his fourth straight shutout and eight of the season. Partridge stopped one shot for the Huskies.
Northeastern had a 6-3 shot advantage in the scoreless first half, but UNCW had the best scoring chance of the period in the 24th minute. Junior Tinashe Mugabe threaded a pass past to junior Daniel Roberts just inside the penalty box, but Partridge charged out and smothered the ball.
The Huskies, who had a commanding 10-4 advantage in shots in the second half, threatened in the 69th minute. NU’s Santiago Bedoya sent a long pass from the left side to freshman Andre Ciliotta in the middle of the box, but Ciliotta’s 8-yard header went over the crossbar.
With 11 minutes remaining in regulation, the Huskies’ Nick Leuders received a pass in the box from Ryan Burnham, made a quick turn, and fired a 10-yard shot that was blocked by Duckworth. The rebound went out to Ciliotta, but his 15-yard shot was also blocked by Duckworth.
UNCW junior defender Indy Smith was selected as the championship’s Most Outstanding Player. He was joined on the all-tournament squad by teammates Brian Harrison, Daniel Roberts and Duckworth. Northeastern was represented by Partridge, Lars Okland and Matt Sanford. Rounding out the all-tournament team were William & Mary’s Nathaniel Baako and Andrew Hoxie and Old Dominion’s Shane Howard and Adam Roscioli.
CAA ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Nathaniel Baako, William & Mary
Brock Duckworth, UNC Wilmington
Brian Harrison, UNC Wilmington
Shane Howard, Old Dominion
Andrew Hoxie, William & Mary
Lars Okland, Northeastern
Scott Partridge, Northeastern
Daniel Roberts, UNC Wilmington
Adam Roscioli, Old Dominion
Matt Sanford, Northeastern
Indy Smith, UNC Wilmington