By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Cincinnati, Ohio---The Express men's soccer team defeated Muskegon Community College 4-2 in today's Region XII semifinal at Xavier University.

The game's first goal came from Bjion Campbell (Coconut Creek/Margate, Fla.) in the 24th minute, followed by a goal from Vijay Gentles (Cedric Titus/Margate, Fla.) in the 41st minute. Then, just before the half ended, Jacob Martin (St. John's Jesuit/Maumee, Ohio) scored on a penalty kick to give the Express a 3-0 lead at halftime.

Muskegon scored in the game's 46th minute to pull within one and the game was close from there.

"The boys played well," said Express men's soccer head coach Art Johnson. "It just got really chippy with us being up and them trying to scratch back."

Austin Combs (Anthony Wayne/Maumee, Ohio) added a second penalty kick goal for the Express in the 86th minute before Muskegon added a goal late in the 88th minute.

Tyler Kortokrax (Kalida/Kalida, Ohio) produced the lone assist for the Express - on his team's second goal.

The game featured 11 cards, including five after the 78th minute and three in the 88th minute.

The Express (15-5-1) will now take on No. 9 Cincinnati State Technical and Community College (16-1-2) at 12 p.m. tomorrow in the Region XII championship game. It will be the first Region XII championship game appearance for the Express since the fall of 2007.

Notes

Martin's goal was his team-high 13th of the season...Campbell's goal was his 12th of the season...Gentles scored his 11th goal of the season...Combs scored his fifth of the season...Kortokrax picked up his fourth assist of the season.

This is the first time since the fall of 2005 that Owens and Cincinnati State have met for the Region XII championship. The Express won 2-1 (5-3 PKs) in that game.

Cincinnati State, the defending Region XII champion, defeated Schoolcraft College 2-1 in the other semifinal today.