Cougars Advance - CofCSports.com--Official Web site of College of Charleston Athletics

Saturday, November 15

Daniel Island, S.C.

7pm

College of Charleston

UNCG

Cougars Advance - CofCSports.com--Official Web site of College of Charleston Athletics

11/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

#articleRelated { display: none !important; } College of Charleston downed UNC Greensboro 3-2 in the semifinals of the Gift of Life/Southern Conference Men's Soccer Championships at Blackbaud Stadium. Jeff Files' overtime goal lifted the Cougars to the finals of the conference tournament.

The Spartans began the scoring when Randi Patterson knocked home a pass from Scott Jones, the Southern Conference's Freshman of the Year. Then, only six minutes into the second half, Egill Atlason extended the Spartan lead to 2-0 when his blast beat Cougar goalkeeper Keith Wiggans.

The Cougars' offense got going midway through the second half when Ben Hollingsworth buried a pass from Sage Martina. The second goal for the Cougars came as Scott Milroth knocked home a pass from Ricardo Diaz Granados. The game went to overtime as neither team was able to capitalize on several second half scoring opportunities.

Cougar senior Jeff Files broke the 2-2 tie when his long blast carried past the Spartan goalkeeper and into the net. The tally was Files' fourth game winning goal this season.

"Character pulled us through tonight," said Head Coach Ralph Lundy. "We were down 2-0 but never quit. Keith ignited the team with the penalty kick save. Wiggans and Files have led the team all season and it was only fitting that Files got the winning shot."

The loss ends the season for UNCG and drops their final record to 10-8-2. College of Charleston (13-3-3) will take on Davidson in the finals on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. The winner of the championship game at Blackbaud Stadium will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.