LA PLUME, Pa. – The No. 3 seed Cairn University Men's Soccer team defeated No. 2 seed Keystone College by a score of 1-0 on the road in double overtime in the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) semifinals on Wednesday evening. With the win, the Highlanders advanced to the CSAC Championship game for the first time in program history.
In the first half, the contest was a replica of the programs first meeting in the regular season with both back line's holding firm and not allowing any significant chances for the majority of the half. However, in the 35
th minute, Cairn (12-3-2) got a golden opportunity on a Keystone (9-8-1) foul inside the box that granted the Highlanders a penalty kick attempt. The Giants negated the opportunity, as Keystone keeper Erick Gomez stopped Cairn sophomore
Jarek Underation (Lynchburg, VA / Liberty Christian Academy) to keep the game all-square heading into halftime.
Just over two minutes into the second frame, Cairn freshman
Jesse Brittain (Chester, PA / The Christian Academy) generated the next golden chance for the Highlanders, creating some space in between the Giant's defense and firing a shot off the right post. Cairn continued to pressure, outshooting the Giants 9-1 in the second half, but Gomez continued to shine and helped Keystone send the game to extra time. Cairn managed two shots in the first overtime frame, courtesy of Brittain and graduate student
Brandon Hasko (Pitman, NJ / Pitman) but could not find the net as the game went to a second overtime frame. That second overtime period proved to be the time Cairn needed, as just a few minutes in, senior
Micah Portis was granted a free kick five yards outside the box. Portis delivered the free kick beautifully to classmate and fellow team captain
Josh Goodyear (Camp Hill, PA / Camp Hill), who skied over Keystone defender Ibrahim Bangoura and buried the game-winning header to send the Highlanders to the conference title game.
Cairn out shout Keystone in the contest (17-8) and bested the Giants in shots on goal (8-2). The Highlanders also earned six corner kick opportunities in the contest. Senior goalkeeper
Kameron Clark (Ewing, NJ / Ewing) made two big saves between the pipes and earned his fourth shutout of the season.
The Highlanders now have a date with No. 1 seed Rosemont College on Saturday, who defeated No. 4 seed Saint Elizabeth University 4-2 this evening. Cairn will travel to Rosemont with the CSAC Championship on the line.
