Lions advance to second round of NCAA Tournament with PK win over FMU

MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill men's soccer team (10-3-5) advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship, defeating Francis Marion (10-5-7) in penalty kicks, 5-3, Friday evening inside the Ammons Family Athletic Center and Meares Stadium.

After 110 scoreless minutes, the Lions and Patriots battled it out in penalty kicks. Each of the team's first two shooters converted with Sam Bayly and Carrick Bromage netting the Mars Hill tallies. In the third round, Leonardo Sanches put the Lions up 3-2, roofing a shot past the Patriot's keeper.

Francis Marion's Juan Herrera was up next and his attempt, low to the left-hand side, was read and stopped by Mars Hill's Logan Cassel. It was his second PK save of the year.

After Adrian Faus and Juan Salazar Lopez scored for their respective teams, the game was on the foot of the nation's leading goal scorer, Peter Plougmand.

Plougmand picked his spot to the low, right-hand side and despite Alberto Aragoneses Lablanca getting a piece of the shot, the ball rolled past the goal line and the Lions took the first round match of the Conference Carolinas Champions.

In their first meeting since 2009, Mars Hill hosted Francis Marion in first round action. The Patriots outshot Mars Hill 9-5 with five shots on target. Cassel was up to the task, making all stops. Edorta Cabieces led Francis Marion with five attempts, four on target in the frame.

The Lions rallied in the second, outshooting Francis Marion 8-5, making Aragoneses Lablanca fight off four shots on target.

Over both overtime frame, the Patriots outshot Mars Hill 4-2 with each keeper needing to make one save in the first frame.

Penalty Kick Rundown

Pen 1

MHU - Sam Bayly (V)
FMU - Edorta Cabieces (V)

Pen 2

MHU - Carrick Bromage (V)
FMU - Mario Buelga (V)

Pen 3

MHU - Leonardo Sanches (V)
FMU - Juan Herrera (X)

Pen 4

MHU - Adrian Faus (V)
FMU - Juan Salazar Lopez (V)

Pen 5

MHU - Peter Plougmand (V)

Sanches led the Lions with five shot attempts, two on target followed by four attempts and two on target off the foot of Bayly. Cassel made nine saves for his second shutout of the season.

Mars Hill returns to Meares Stadium on Sunday, November 24 when they face the No. 1 seed in Super Region II, and South Atlantic Conference Champions, Limestone Saints for the third time of the season. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.