The Basics
Score: No. 14 Saginaw Valley 1, Lake Erie 0
Records: SVSU (15-3-1) | LEC (8-7-4)
Location: Braddock Field - University Center, Mich.
UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - The no. 14 nationally-ranked SVSU men's soccer team hosted Lake Erie in the second semifinal matchup on Friday (Nov. 4) looking to secure a victory and advance to the GLIAC Tournament championship match on Sunday afternoon. SVSU performed well on the defensive side of the ball and provided a timely goal to secure a 1-0 shutout over the Storm at Braddock Field.
Saginaw Valley settled in for a defensive fight early on in the match, with only two shots fired in the early portions of the half.
In the 25th minute, Lake Erie created the best scoring chance of the half that was blocked by a scrambling Oakley Hanger inside the six-yard box for a team save. The Cardinals rushed down the field following the blocked shot and nearly connected with a Roderic Green cross pass to Tobee Oyeleye.
Azaad Liadi fired two hard shots from the top of the 18-yard box a few moments later but was unable to capitalize. The Cardinals buckled down defensively and watched the first half end with a 0-0 score.
SVSU began the second half with plenty of time on offense. Matt Wilson sent a ball towards the goal that just curled high atop the right corner in the 54th minute. The Cardinals stayed persistent for the next five minutes, with two more shots coming from Wilson and Liam Reilly from high outside the box.
The Cardinals got the goal they needed in the 75th minute as Andrew Dalou sent a pass over the defender and through to Wilson, who stepped on the outside of the Storm defender and ripped a shot past the Storm's Hugo Fauroux for the 1-0 lead. The tally was Wilson's team-leading 14th of the season.
Saginaw Valley controlled the pace following the goal and limited the Storm to two shots the rest of the way. The Cardinals ran the clock out and secured a 1-0 win in front of the home crowd at Braddock Field.
Inside the Boxscore
- Saginaw Valley registered 13 shots in the match compared to Lake Erie's six.
- Azaad Liadi had two shots on goal for the Cardinals with Oakley Hanger had another.
- The victory gives the Cardinal squad a perfect 11-0 mark at Braddock Field.
- SVSU has now advanced to the GLIAC tournament's final match for the fourth time in the last five seasons. The Cardinals look to claim their second ever league postseason tournament title (2012).
- Dalou recorded his sixth assist of the season on Wilson's goal. He now has 18 points for the 2016 campaign, which ranks second on the team and fifth in the GLIAC. He has three career postseason helpers for the Cards, as he posted two assists in NCAA Midwest regional play last season against Indy and Northwood.
- Wilson's goal was his sixth game-winning goal for the 2016 season, ranking second in the GLIAC. He now has 14 goals on the year after registering his first career postseason point for SVSU.
- Connor Keane recorded his seventh shutout in today's win over the Storm. He is now 15-3-1 overall on the season.
From Head Coach Andy Wagstaff
Up Next...
The Cardinals will face the No. 3 seeded Tiffin Dragons in the GLIAC Men's Soccer final on Sunday (Nov. 6) at Braddock Field. First kick is scheduled for Noon. SVSU holds a 1-0-1 season record against the Dragons. Stay tuned to www.svsucardinals.com and @SVSUAthletics on twitter for all updates.
@SVSUsoccer | #svsumsoc
