Geneva earns first-ever PAC Men’s Soccer Championship Tournament title

Geneva earns first-ever PAC Men’s Soccer Championship Tournament title

Bookmark and Share

BEAVER FALLS, Pa. (pacathletics.org) – Top-seeded Geneva College posted a 2-1 overtime victory against third-seeded Thomas More College in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Men’s Soccer Championship Tournament title match Saturday night at Reeves Field.

The men’s soccer title is Geneva’s first as a member of the league. Geneva earned the championship tournament’s top seed for the first time since gaining full PAC membership in 2011.

Saturday was the third time since 2011 Geneva (16-3-1) and Thomas More (10-9-1) met in the league’s title match.  

By virtue of securing the PAC Championship Tournament title, Geneva earned the league’s automatic qualifying bid for this year’s NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. It will be the program’s first-ever appearance in the Division III Championship.

The NCAA will announce its field and opening-round matchups for the Division III Championship Tournament on Monday, November 7 at 1 p.m. Access to the live selection show stream can be found at www.ncaa.com/liveschedule.
 
Saturday, November 5
PAC Championship Tournament – Title Match
#3 Thomas More at #1 Geneva
Reeves Field – Beaver Falls, Pa.
Result: Geneva wins 2-1 (OT)
Box score
Junior defender Gib McCracken (Beaver Falls, Pa. /Beaver County Christian) scored on a penalty kick in the opening minute of overtime (91’) to break a 1-1 deadlock and give top-seeded Geneva a 2-1 title match victory over third-seeded Thomas More Saturday night at Reeves Field. The goal was McCracken’s ninth of the year. Senior midfielder Jonathan Shoaf (Virginia Beach, Va. / Norfolk Christian) gave the Golden Tornadoes a 1-0 advantage after converting off of an assist from junior forward Josh Brenize (Chambersburg, Pa. / Chambersburg) in the eighth minute. Thomas More first-year forward Ethan Smith (Columbus, Ind. / Columbus North) evened the match at 1-1 after scoring on a penalty kick in the 47th minute. Sophomore Luke Nolan (Wexford, Pa. / North Allegheny) finished with a pair of saves in the win. Sophomore Jeff Paulin (Alexandria, Ky. / Bishop Brossart) totaled three saves for Thomas More.
 
Tuesday, November 1
PAC Championship Tournament – Semifinal 2
#4 Bethany at #1 Geneva
Reeves Field – Beaver Falls, Pa.
Result: Geneva wins 1-0
Box score
Geneva junior forward Abel Carleton (Darlington, Pa. / Beaver County Christian) scored with under four minutes remaining in regulation to break a scoreless deadlock with Bethany and secure the championship tournament’s title match for the second-straight year. Geneva sophomore goalkeeper Luke Nolan (Wexford, Pa. / North Allegheny) finished with four saves while posting his league-leading seventh shutout of the year. Bethany senior goalkeeper Callum Appleby (Maidstone, United Kingdom / Maidstone) stopped seven shots in the loss.
 
Tuesday, November 1
PAC Championship Tournament – Semifinal 1
#3 Thomas More at #2 Grove City
College Field – Grove City, Pa.
Result: Thomas More wins 2-1
Box score
Thomas More posted a pair of first half goals in a span of just over five minutes in their 2-1 semifinal win at Grove City. The win is the first for a number three seed over a number two seed since 2010, when No. 3 Bethany won at No. 2 Grove City, 2-1. Thomas More first-year forward Ethan Smith (Columbus, Ind. / Columbus North) opened the scoring in the 13th minute and senior forward C.J. Seig (Cincinnati, Ohio / LaSalle) scored what would prove to be the game winner on a cross from senior forward Brian Runyon (Parkersburg, W.Va. / Parkersburg) in the 18th minute, giving the Saints a 2-0 advantage going into the half. Grove City freshman midfielder Christian Caporaso (Fairfield, Conn. / Christian Heritage) netted his 10th goal of the season off of an assist from sophomore midfielder Trent Strick (Westerville, Ohio / Worthington Christian) with 37 minutes remaining, trimming the deficit to 2-1, but Thomas More’s two-score advantage proved too much to overcome. Senior goalkeeper Bryan Denny (Fairfax, Va. / Broughton (N.C.)) had six stops for Grove City. Sophomore goalkeeper Jeff Paulin (Alexandria, Ky. / Bishop Brossart) finished with a pair of saves for the Saints.