Box Score A dominant defense helped the No. 5 seeded Maryville College Scots to oust the top-seeded Greensboro Pride from the USA South Tournament with a 2-0 win during a windy game in Martinsville, Va.
Throughout the season, Greensboro (12-7) piled up seven shutouts against 10 conference opponents, as Maryville (12-5-1) becomes the first USA South team to shutout the Regular Season Champions.
The Scots win is Maryville's second upset of the conference tournament, as they ousted the No. 4 seed Methodist, 2-1 on Saturday.
Greensboro — who's scored 25 goals against conference opponents this season — was outshot by Maryville, 14-9. The Pride could only manage one shot on goal, while the Scots boasted a total of seven.
"The defense was phenomenal," head coach Pepe Fernandez said. "They probably had the most complete forward in the conference. He was Player of the Year — 6-foot-4 — and he can run past you. Our two center backs [Thomas Palmer and Alex Waddell] were phenomenal. We didn't break down, and we didn't let them get any looks."
Junior Jon Taylor picks up his first shutout of the season in the 2-0 win.
Maryville College had a dominating first half against Greensboro, outshooting the Pride 11-3. The Scots had a total of six shots on goal, while Greensboro could not find a shot on goal.
Maryville scored first during the 21st minute off an assist by Sean Yoder. Yoder was coming down the far side of the field, giving the ball up to an attacking Randy Reichenberger. He found the back of the net off a header, as Maryville led 1-0.
The Scots score again during the 43rd minute. Thomas Palmer found the back of the net during a penalty kick. Greensboro goalie Logan Rohde got a hand on the ball, but it was able to trickle into the goal for a 2-0 Maryville lead.
"We were able to weather the storm," Fernandez said. "We played with the wind the first half. We had about a 15 mph wind here. We took advantage of it the first half, and we just had to hold on the second half."
Reichenberger and David Lethco each had three shots to lead the Scots, as Lethco had two shots to lead Maryville.
The Scots will face the winner of the No. 2 seeded Covenant vs. the No. 3 seeded N.C. Wesleyan tomorrow in the championship game.
Action is set for 2 p.m.
