Bishop men tie Captains 1-1, CNU takes tourney title in shootout

Martinsville, VA - The Battling Bishop men's soccer team put up a valiant effort versus nationally-ranked Christopher Newport on Saturday evening, but Wesleyan was unable to defend its 2008 USA South Tournament crown, falling to the 7th-ranked Captains by a 4-2 score in penalty kicks. Goals by CNU's Brian Lybert and Wesleyan's Arkadiusz Trochowski (pictured) led to a 1-1 double overtime tie, setting up the best-of-five shootout. The championship is the first-ever for the Captains, who secured the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.  The tie leaves NCWC with an 11-7-1 record.

CNU jumped in front early with a goal in the sixth minute on Lybert's score off of a pass from Nao Masuda. Wesleyan tied the score in the 50th minute when Trochowski hammered in a free kick.

Neither team scored again during regulation time or through two ten-minute overtime periods meaning penalty kicks would determine the champion. The Captains converted on four of their five chances, while the Bishops only scored twice.

Trochowski was named to the All-Tournament team, along with teammates Ousman Sarr, Michael Muhseler, and Gudmundur Palsson. CNU keeper Justin Wolfe was named Most Valuable Player after making six saves in the championship, as well as one key save in the shootout.  NCWC's other miss hit the left post.

Sarr had previously netted a goal in the Bishops' 2-1 semifinal win versus Methodist on Friday followed by senior Robert Ivanovich's gamewinner in the 84th minute. Trochowski assisted on both goals. Palsson helped anchor a Bishop defense that allowed just two goals in the tourney, while Muhseler made good on his one shootout attempt.

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