Box Score BROWNS SUMMIT, N.C. – Despite outshooting the Chowan Hawks (9-4-4, 7-2-2 Conference Carolinas) 20-11 and having multiple late-game opportunities, the Converse University men's soccer team (12-5-3, 7-2-3 Conference Carolinas) fell 3-0 in the games penalty shootout after being even 1-1 with the Hawks over the course of the 110-minute, double-overtime affair.
The Hawks started off the day with an early goal in the 10th minute on just the third shot of the match to secure an early 1-0 lead. The Valkyries fought back in the remaining 35 minutes of the first half, outshooting the Hawks 6-2 in the final 35 minutes of the first half. Still, with only one of those shots on goal, the Valkyries entered the break down 1-0.
Facing a tough defensive unit in front of the goalkeeper, the Hawks blocked three of the Valkyries' first-half shots.
Coming out of the break, the Valkyries had two opportunities to draw the game even in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Sophomore forward Guilherme Fontes missed above the crossbar and junior forward Hayden Gensler booted what was the Valkyries' best chance to that point just a bit off target to the right and Converse would have to find another opportunity to score.
After a shot off target by Gensler was deflected by the Hawks, Fontes set up for a corner kick which found the head of junior forward Joan Bauza Sureda who equalized the game with 28 minutes remaining in the match.
Just inside of six minutes to play, the Hawks set up on the Valkyries' defensive side of the field with an opportunity to take the lead. Sophomore goalkeeper Tim Baerwalde saved the would-be go-ahead shot and 20 seconds later the Hawks set up a threatening free kick. Converse's defense held true and denied the Hawks even another shot before clearing the ball to the other side of the field.
Gensler was fouled mere inches outside the box with 2:47 remaining in regulation, denying the Valkyries a penalty kick but setting up a free kick for Fontes, who missed over the top of the crossbar.
With 30 seconds remaining in regulation, a shot from Gensler was once again deflected setting up a corner kick from Converse with 15 seconds left. The Valkyries were unable to put the corner kick into the back of the net like they had earlier in the half, and the championship match headed to extra time.
With 1:02 remaining in the first overtime period, Sureda headed a would-be winning goal away from Baerwalde and kept the Hawks from securing their second goal of the match. The teams once again entered the final period of play even at 1-1.
Chowan found themselves with the best chance to score with 7:48 remaining in the second overtime period when Baerwalde was out of position and fell attempting to save a shot. Junior defender Gabriel Verona recorded a defensive save to keep the Valkyries in the match.
Baerwalde recorded a save with just two seconds in the final period to push the game to the first penalty shootout for the Valkyries all season.
After an impressive 110 minutes of play, Chowan won the championship with a 3-0 edge over the Valkyries in the penalty shootout.
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