TRAFFORD, Pa. (pacathletics.org) - The quarterfinal round of the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Men's Soccer Tournament Saturday saw higher-seeded Grove City College and Allegheny College post impressive shutout victories on their home fields to advance to the conference semifinals.

The third-seeded Wolverines (11-3-3) scored their first goal with 90 seconds left in the first half and tacked on three more goals after halftime to secure a 4-0 victory over sixth-seeded Washington & Jefferson College (7-11-1). In the other quarterfinal in Meadville, No. 4 Allegheny (7-10-3) struck for the opening goal less than four minutes into the match and pulled away for a 5-0 triumph over No. 5 Chatham University (7-6-6).

Although the Grove City/W&J match nearly went the entire half without a goal, the Wolverines had a bevy of chances, posting an 11-3 shot advantage. On their final attempt of the half, Grove City finished, with sophomore Ryan Higgs (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) scoring off a double assist from sophomores Ryan Merrick (Cranberry Township, Pa./Eden Christian) and Carlo Denis (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic) with just 1:30 left before halftime and the Wolverines carried a 1-0 lead into the break.

Grove City kept up the pressure in the second half, generating five corner kick chances in the first 19 minutes of the second half. The Wolverines finally added to their lead in the 68th minute on a goal by junior Jed Hart (Fayetteville, N.C./Urbana, Md.) to double their advantage to 2-0. That margin would double again late in the match on scores by junior Camdon Thomas (North Lima, Ohio/South Range) and senior Will Rybka (Peninsula, Ohio/Cuyahoga Valley Christian) just 15 seconds apart in the 85th minute to cement Grove City's spot in the semifinals for the 17th consecutive year. 

Earning the shutout in goal was junior keeper Teddy Almeter (Monroeville, Pa./Serra), although the Wolverine defense in front of him stymied the W&J attack through the day. The Presidents were held to just four shots, with only one getting to Almeter, who made the save to post a clean sheet. 

The victory sends Grove City on the road for the semifinals at second-seed and defending PAC champion Geneva College (12-0-5). The teams met in the 2023 PAC Championship game, with the Golden Tornadoes earning a 1-0 victory to claim the conference crown. When the teams played earlier this season on Oct. 2, Geneva won by the same 1-0 final. Wednesday's semifinal in Beaver Falls is scheduled for a 7 pm kickoff.

It didn't take nearly as long for Allegheny to score the initial goal in the other quarterfinal, as senior Brady Napoleon (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) put the home team on top with a goal in the fourth minute. The Gators would tack on two more in the opening half, first when sophomore Will Gruca (Baden, Pa./Ambridge) scored off an assist from senior Cliff Weaver (Silver Spring, Md./Albert Einstein) in the 29th minute and late in the half, a Chatham foul in the 43rd minute gave Allegheny a PK opportunity. Napoleon buried the attempt and the Gators had a 3-0 lead at the break.

Napoleon's two goals, giving him 18 for the year, were also historic, as his first tied and second score broke the Allegheny record for single-season goals, which had stood since 1977.

Allegheny would put two more scores on the board in the second half. Weaver added a goal to his first-half assist when he finished off a cross from senior teammate Colin Elder (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel) in the 60th minute. The final tally came in the 83rd minute on a free kick from 30 yards out by senior Andres Boccia (Lauria, Italy/Liceo Classico Q.O. Flacco).

The Gators posted their five goals on 17 shots and were actually outshot by Chatham, who finished the match with 19. Allegheny freshman keeper Cadan Bennett (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland) kept the Cougars off the board by making 10 stops, including six in the first half as Allegheny built up their lead. 

With the win, the Gators earn a spot in the semifinals opposite top-seed Franciscan University (11-1-5) Wednesday night in a 7 pm match in Steubenville. The Barons scored a 5-1 victory over Allegheny in the Oct. 22nd regular season match-up, which is the only loss suffered by the Gators in their last seven games.

The winners of Wednesday's semifinals will move on to the PAC Championship match, which will be played on the home field of the highest seed on Saturday., Nov. 9.