BEAVER FALLS, Pa. (pacathletics.org) - Behind a first-half goal and stellar defensive play in the closing minutes, Geneva College outlasted Grove City College 1-0 to win the 2023 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Men's Soccer Tournament Championship Saturday night in Beaver Falls, Pa.

The triumph gives the Golden Tornadoes their second PAC crown in program history and first since 2016. Geneva also secures the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer National Tournament.

The first half did not see a lot of shots generated by either side, as the first Grove City attempt didn't come until the 18th minute. The initial shot by Geneva (12-4-4) would put them in front in the 21st minute. The Golden Tornadoes cleared their zone and senior Carnel Kerr (Flankers, Jamaica/Carlynton) played the ball out wide to sophomore Gabe Singh (Valencia, Pa./Mars), who played a great through ball to a streaking Kerr making a run down the left side. While not breaking stride, Kerr's shot off his left foot tucked inside the right post for his sixth goal of the season and a 1-0 Geneva lead.

Shots continued to be hard to come by in the first half, as Grove City (9-6-5) would have a 3-2 advantage in attempts by halftime, The best Wolverine shot came with just over two minutes to play in the half when Grove City had a free kick following a GT foul. Wolverine sophomore Matt Herrmann (Hilton, N.Y. Paul V. Moore) hammered a blast from 30 yards away that was on target but Geneva junior goalkeeper Evan Shale (Duncansville, Pa./Hollidaysburg) smothered it to protect the 1-0 lead that the Golden Tornadoes took into halftime.

The chances would come a little more often in the second half, but the best opportunities were for Grove City, who had a flurry of shots just after the clock ticked under 20 minutes to play. The Wolverines launched another shot from 32 yards out that Shale stopped, but the rebound popped up in the air. A charging Grove City player went high to get a strong header on line, but Shale gathered it in to deny the scoring chance.

As the clock ticked down, each team generated a threat in the closing five minutes. Geneva had a golden chance to pick up an insurance goal when Kerr tried to repay the favor from earlier when he played a ball to a streaking Singh down the left slot, but when Singh tried to go right post with his shot, Grove City sophomore keeper Teddy Almeter (Monroeville, Pa./Serra Catholic) made a kick save to keep it a one-goal spread with three minutes to play.

The last chance for Grove City came with just over 90 seconds remaining. A Wolverine corner was delivered into the box and after a deflection, Kimmich had another shot, but his attempt was blocked by a defender in front and a rebound attempt was cleared by Geneva senior Antonio Fiordilino (McDonald, Pa./West Allegheny) off the line to maintain the slim GT lead. The Wolverines' possession time in the final minute did not yield a shot and Geneva was able to hang on for the victory and celebrate the conference title.

The defensive battle saw just 14 shots for the match, with Grove City managing an 8-6 advantage on the night, while Geneva posted a 6-3 margin in corners. 

After needing to make only one stop in the first half, Shale stopped four shots in the second half and finished the night with five saves and his ninth shutout of the season. Almeter was credited with one save in the setback.

Geneva will now await to learn their NCAA Tournament destination on Monday afternoon, with first and second round play scheduled for Nov. 10-11.