By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Kirtland, Ohio---Akeem McCarthy (Cornwall College/Montego Bay, Jamaica) scored the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute to give the Owens Community College men's soccer team a 2-1 win over No. 14 Ancilla College in the Region XII semifinals moments ago.
Nathan Francis (Lake/Walbridge, Ohio) headed in his second goal of the season just 20 minutes into the game to give Owens an early lead. Ancilla answered back, though, just 1:48 later via a goal from Kevin Fortes to tie the game.
That's where the game remained until McCarthy took a pass from Trae Green (Blessed Pope John Paul II C.S.S./Scarborough, Ontario, Canada) at 72:33 to give Owens the margin it needed to advance to the Region XII championship game for the second time in three years.
McCarthy's goal was his 12th of the season, while Green's assist was his sixth of the season. The header by Francis was his second goal of the season.
Kyle Rowan (Perrysburg/Perrysburg, Ohio) went the distance in goal for Owens. He made three saves, including one in the 88th minute on a shot from Romario Piggott.
Samuel Lopez made five saves in goal for Ancilla.
Hakeem Sadler (Quality Academics/Greater Portmore, Jamaica) led Owens with four total shots, while Matt Almester (St. John's Jesuit/Toledo, Ohio) and McCarthy each added three. Sadler and McCarthy each had a team-high two shots on goal.
Owens had more shots (14-8), corner kicks (4-3) and shots on goal (7-4) in the match.
Owens is now 14-7-1 overall. They are 10-0-1 in their past 11 matches and will take on the winner of the other semifinal between No. 10 Schoolcraft College and Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in the Region XII championship game at 12 p.m. tomorrow. The tournament is being held at Lakeland Community College.
Notes
Ancilla, who entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed, closes their season at 13-3-1.
In the regular season, Ancilla had defeated Owens twice. Each game was a one goal margin and went to overtime.