Box Score The Maryville College men's soccer program claimed their first USA South regular season title with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina to conclude the regular season on Sunday afternoon.
The Scots (15-2, 9-1 USA South) took an early lead when Bret Thomas distributed his fourth assist of the season at the 12:51 mark. Andrew Sullivan took the cross from the right and blasted his sixth goal of the season for the 1-0 advantage. "Sully's" goal was his third in the final weekend of the regular season.
North Carolina Wesleyan tallied an equalizer early in the second half. Fredrik Aalberg distributed his second assist of the season with a loose ball into the box at the 50:52 mark. Sophomore Conor Morris directed his first goal of the season past MC keeper Ryan Jorgensen to tie the game at 1-1.
Maryville's second ranked offense within the NCAA Division III would rely on the nation's third leading scorer for the game and league championship clincher.
Just before the 65th minute, senior Caleb Lucas collected a loose ball at the top of the box. With a tough angle, Lucas blasted his USA South leading 19th goal of the season for the game-winner.
As the clock ran out, Methodist would fall to 6-7-1 overall and 4-4 in USA South play.
North Carolina Wesleyan College defeated Piedmont in their season finale giving the Bishops a share of the regular season crown with an overall record of 12-5 while finishing 9-1 in league play.
The conference title is the eighth for the MC men's program since 2000. They earned seven championships in the Great South Athletic Conference, their last in 2011. This is the first league title since joining the USA South in 2012.
The USA South will release the seeding for the upcoming league tournament on www.usasouth.net. Action is slated to begin on October 29th.
