UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University men's soccer program hosted Rogers State University for the second round of the NCAA DII Men's Soccer Championships Sunday afternoon. The Cardinals (12-5-2) drew 0-0 against the Hillcats (9-5-7) and advanced to the third round via penalty kicks, winning the shootout 4-2.
SVSU was outshot 21-13 as RSU had eight shots on goal to the Cardinals five. Both goalkeepers posted clean sheets and could thank their field players as there were three big team saves in the match. The first was minutes into the match when Jonny Monney had a wide-open net and a Hillcat defender flew in to block the shot from in close. The other two were both saved by Alex Demorow. A shot near the end of the first half was heading for the back of the net when Demorow leapt and headed the ball off the line. The final team save was just off the opening kick of the second extra time period. As Nick Kay came out to try to grab a loose ball, it was headed over him and was bouncing into the open net. Demorow chased it down and kicked it out, saving the game for the Cardinals. Head coach Louis Barrow had this to say when asked about Demorow's saves,
"I think those defensive players are as good and as big as goals. They are so important and it's moments like that from AD that are the reason we haven't conceded many goals this season. We've been very stingy at the back and it's because of players like AD and the characteristics he brings to the team."
Jayden Cameron had five of the Cardinals 13 shots and two of the five shots on goal. Demorow had two shots, one on goal. Kay finished with six saves over 110 minutes of play for his eighth shutout of the season.
A winner couldn't be decided after 110 minutes, and the two teams went to penalty kicks. The Cardinals had experience winning the GLIAC tournament championship in penalties a week ago. The first shooters for both teams missed before Francisco Capellan netted the first PK goal. Rogers State tied it 1-1 before Telfer took the 2-1 advantage. Kay made a big save on the third opportunity and then scored the fourth shot to give SVSU a 3-1 lead. Louis Bassett scored the fourth opportunity for RSU, leaving the game on the foot of Ryan Bovee. Bovee scored making it 4-2 with one shot remaining as the Cardinals advanced to the third round of the NCAA DII Championships.
Up Next: Saginaw Valley men's soccer will see a familiar foe in the sweet sixteen as they host Tiffin. The Cardinals and Dragons square off on Sunday at Robert C. Braddock Field. SVSU defeated Tiffin 3-2 on the road in the second match of the season. A kickoff time is still to be determined.