BROOKVILLE, N.Y - The University of Charleston men's soccer team advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four for the third consecutive year in dramatic fashion on Saturday, squeezing past Adelphi 5-4 in a penalty shootout.
Adelphi, playing close to its home base on Long Island, was able to force overtime with a late comeback after falling behind 2-0 with a pair of late goals in the final 10 minutes of regulation.
But the Golden Eagles came up clutch in the shootout, making all five of their attempts from the spot - including Will Roberts' game-winner as he was able to beat Adelphi goalkeeper Spenser Powell. The Panthers missed their first attempt of the shootout, putting UC in the driver's seat.
The first goal conceded by UC came with 9:30 to play in regulation as Federico De Oliveira took a long pass from Powell and took a defender one-on-one before finding the back of the net.
A few minutes later, the Panthers got their equalizer on a penalty kick from Alejandro Penzini in the 83rd minute.
In the first half, it was all Charleston as the Golden Eagles seized the momentum quickly with a goal in the 22nd minute from Jermaine Windster as he found the top right corner of the goal off an assist from Patrick Guier. Windster got an assist on Charleston's second goal later in the opening half when he found Felipe Antonio to double the lead heading into the locker room.
Goalkeeper Paulo Pita made eight saves for UC while Powell stopped nine shots for Adelphi. Charleston outshot the Panthers 19-18 in the closely contested matchup.
UC was the first team to punch its ticket to the Final Four, which will be played at Swope Soccer Village Thursday in Kansas City, Missouri. The Golden Eagles will take on the winner of Sunday's national quarterfinal matchup between Rockhurt and Fort Hays State.