He Does It Again: Plougmand scores OT winner in SAC Semifinals

MATTHEWS, N.C. - The Mars Hill men's soccer team (11-5-3) advanced to the South Atlantic Conference Championship game after their 3-2 overtime win versus Catawba (10-7-2) Friday night.

With just 17 seconds remaining in the first overtime frame, Peter Plougmand played hero once more, scoring his ninth of the season off of a Kevonte Willoughby-Williams feed.  

The Lions trailed 2-1 with 3:29 remaining in regulation.  Willoughby-Williams, in a scrum in front of the net, was able to direct the loose ball inside the far post to knot the game at two.  The goal marked his 10th of the season.

Mars Hill opened the scoring in the 13th minute as Sebastian Bertilsson netted his 13th of the season, striking an Alberto Aletta pass into the back of the net.

The Indians struck twice in under four minutes, beginning in the 55th minute.  Tom Savigar dished a pass off to his right off the rush and Simone Trentin tied the game at one with his seventh of the year.  In the 59th minute, an identical play occurred with Savigar feeding Trentin.  Both goals went low, inside the right post.

Despite giving up two goals in the second half, the Lions outshot Catawba 10-6 and 21-12 throughout the game.  

Plougmand led all players with seven shot attempts.  Bertilsson's six attempts all found their way on target.  Malik Wilkes led Catawba with four shot attempts.

Trentin recorded a game-high four points (2g) while Willoughby-Williams led the Lions with three (1g, 1a).

Brennan Whalen made five saves in the win while Gianluca Tommasi stopped nine in the loss.

The No. 6 seeded Lions will take on the No. 8 Coker Cobras in the SAC Championship game on Sunday, November 14 inside the Matthews Sportsplex. Mars Hill defeated Coker in the regular season on October 9 by a score of 4-3 on the road.

Kickoff for the SAC Championship game is set for 4 p.m.