Cougars and Seahawks to Clash in CAA Semifinals

Friday, November 10

Harrisonburg, Va. - Sentara Park

4:00 PM

College of Charleston

UNCW

Photo by: Al Samuels

11/9/2017 11:17:00 AM | Men's Soccer

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CHARLESTON, S.C. – The College of Charleston men's soccer team (8-5-4) will look to replicate last season's postseason success on Friday, when they meet the No. 2 seeded UNCW Seahawks (10-6) at 4 p.m. at James Madison University's Sentara Park.

The Cougars and Seahawks met in the CAA Quarterfinals last season in Wilmington when UNCW was receiving votes in the national polls. Three goals occurred within less than two minutes, and when the dust settled, the Cougars won the game 2-1 thanks to goals by Avery Ryan and Cornell Holland. The Cougars advanced to face Delaware, falling 2-1 to the eventual CAA Champions.

Earlier this year, the two teams ran it back in Wilmington again, this time with the Seahawks carrying a No. 15 national ranking. UNCW got on the board first, but Eli Dent stepped up in a big way, notching a goal and an assist in yet-another two-minute window to once again vanquish the Seahawks 2-1. That began a four-game skid for UNCW that they just managed to correct in their regular season finale against Northeastern. The Cougars are undefeated against the Seahawks in their last four consecutive encounters.

The Cougars emerged from the CAA Quarterfinals in a thrilling 2-1 victory at home against Elon. CofC gave up the opening goal of the game to Elijah Agu, but Leland Archer followed that up with a two-goal outburst to lift CofC to its second straight semifinal appearance in as many years. In doing so, Archer usurped Eli Dent's goal-scoring lead on the team with his fourth and fifth of the season, although Dent still leads the way in points with 11 (3g, 5a). Kevin Shields has sustained his strong play for the Cougars with a 0.89 GAA and six shutouts on the year, and he's been a big factor in preserving CofC's unbeaten streak, which currently stands at nine matches.

UNCW is led by Phillip Goodrum, whose seven goals ranks second in the conference behind only Antonio Bustamante of William & Mary. Ben Fisher meanwhile is tied with Dent for fourth place in the conference in assists at five. Ryan Cretens has played every minute in goal for the Seahawks, and boasts a 0.98 GAA and six shutouts on the year.

The winner of the game will move on to the CAA Championship, which will also take place at Sentara Park. The other semifinal matchup pits No. 5 seeded William and Mary against No. 1 seeded James Madison.