M. Soccer

11/8/2009

LANDER WINS PBC MEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

EVANS, Ga. - Led by Jamie Ramm (holding trophy), who scored two goals, the second-seeded Lander men's soccer team upset top-seeded Flagler College in a shootout Sunday afternoon in the Peach Belt Conference tournament championship game at Blanchard Woods Park. After the game ended 2-2 in regulation -- and two scoreless overtime periods -- Lander edged the Saints, 4-3, in the shootout.

With the win, Lander claims its fourth PBC tournament championship and first since 2006 when the Bearcats downed USC Aiken, 1-0. Lander is 12-5-2 overall and will now wait to hear if they earn a berth into the NCAA national tournament. Flagler moves to 14-5-2.

Ramm, the tournament Most Valuable Player, gave the Bearcats a 1-0 lead at 3:57 on a header off Craig Hughes' throw-in.

Flagler responded by tying the game at 1-1 on Mack Hough's score off an assist from Joseph Toby.

The Saints took their first lead of the game at 58:34 on Pol Berenguer's header off Johan Bergield's assist.

Ramm, who also was named the tournmant MVP in 2006, tied the game at 2-2 on a point-blank kick, assisted by Stephen Magennis at 61:10.

In the shootout, Lander's Adam Arthur, the PBC Player of the Year, David Winskill, Craig Hughes and Magennis made penalty kicks for the Bearcats.

Atkinson made stops on the Saints' second attempt by Hough and fourth attempt by Kevin Partel, while Flagler received successful penalty kicks from Eoin Cassin, Greg Taafe and Danny Burke.

Lander outshot Flagler, 17-15, but the Saints led in corner kicks, 8-4.

Lander goalkeeper Matthew Atkinson recorded five saves, while Flagler's Matt Gilman had four.

Related Item: Box Score