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Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics

MSOC Semis vs. Coker
2
Winner Lenoir-Rhyne LR (8-8-1, 5-5-1)
1
Coker CU (13-2-1, 9-1-1)
Winner
Lenoir-Rhyne LR
(8-8-1, 5-5-1)
2
Final
1
Coker CU
(13-2-1, 9-1-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
Lenoir-Rhyne LR 0 1 1 2
Coker CU 1 0 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Jason Stuebe, Athletic Communications Assistant

Martinez's OT winner sends Bears to SAC Championship

MATTHEWS, N.C.-- Daniel Martinez had a day he will never forget. Staring at a 1-0 halftime deficit, Martinez quickly tied the game at 1-1 with a header off the assist from Harri Rowe. The game would stay locked heading into overtime, where Martinez rocketed a volley into the side netting just four minutes in to send the Bears to the SAC Championship. 

The Bears will now play the No. 1 seed Limestone on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Saints defeated Mars Hill 4-2 in Friday's first contest. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: (6) Lenoir-Rhyne 2, (2) Coker 1 (OT)
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (8-7-1, 5-5-1 SAC), Coker (14-2-1, 9-1-1 SAC)
Location: Matthews Sportsplex I Matthews, N.C.

STATS OF THE MATCH:
  • Coker dominated the first half, out shooting the Bears 7-1, with five of those shots being on goal.
  • The Cobras finally broke through in the 44th minute when Yvan Malarte headed in a corner kick, giving the Cobras a 1-0 lead.
  • Daniel Martinez found the equalizer in the 47th minute, heading in a free kick from Harri Rowe.
  • Martinez's goal was the Bears only shot of the half as LR went into overtime with two total shots. 
  • Nicolas Cortez almost won it with a shot just 30 seconds in overtime but Coker's Charlie Walker made his first save of the day.
  • Martinez found the back of the net one minute later to send the Bears to the finals on Sunday. 
  • Unsung hero Tomas Fontes made six saves in goal for LR.
  • Coker out shot the Bears 14-4, but only managed to put one of their seven shots on goal in the back of the net.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
  • Rowe's assist was his eighth of the season and 20th of his career, tying him for fourth all-time in LR history.
  • Coker was ranked No. 4 in the country coming into the game.
  • Martinez's brace was the first of his career, and he doubled his season goal total from two to four.
  • This is the second time in three years the Bears have advanced to the SAC Championship game.
UP NEXT: The Bears will be searching for their 5th SAC Tournament Championship when they face No. 1 seed Limestone on Sunday. The Saints, ranked No. 8 in the country, defeated Mars Hill 4-2 to advance to Sunday's final. Kick-off is schedule for 1:00 p.m. from Matthews Sportsplex. 
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