Point Claims Men's Soccer Title on PKs

ATHENS, Tenn. - The 2021 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Soccer Tournament has been one like none other before it, and the championship game only added to it.

No. 6 seed Point and host and No. 4 seed Tennessee Wesleyan ended regulation and two overtimes tied at 2-all. However, Point captured the championship by winning the penalty shootout 5-3.

Prior to this contest, no team in the entire tournament had scored more than one goal. However, that changed when Tennessee Wesleyan scored twice in the first half. Wynand Wessels found the back of the net in the 24th minute and again in the 44th.

As the time ticked away in the second half, it appeared Tennessee Wesleyan would lay claim to the championship. Yet, Julien Sagnol jumpstarted the comeback with a goal in the 73rd minute. Then, in the 81st minute, Jeronimo Leguizamon netted the equalizer.

During the two overtime periods, Tennessee Wesleyan had the best opportunity as it recorded the lone corner kick and shot on goal during the second overtime. But after 20 additional minutes of scoreless play, the contest moved to penalty kicks.

Both teams made their first attempt, but Tennessee Wesleyan missed its second kick. After four rounds, Point led 4-3, and Leguizamon powered home his attempt to start the fifth round to give Point the championship.

With the tournament championship win, Point automatically qualifies for the NAIA National Championship Tournament. Columbia International also received an automatic berth to nationals as the AAC regular-season champion.

Leguizamon earned MVP honors with teammates Sangol, Julio Gomes, and Facundo Palacios joining him on the All-Tournament Team. Making up the rest of the team are Michael Garrihy, Lewis Menga, and Wynand Wessels of Tennessee Wesleyan; Carlos Hernandez and William Stallworth of Montreat; and Tobias Crosariol and Brando Caltabiano of St. Andrews.

Here is the updated schedule:

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, Nov. 5 (at the higher seed's home site)
Game 1 - No. 8 St. Andrews (9-7-2) def.No. 1 Columbia International (16-2), 1-0
Game 2 - No. 4 Tennessee Wesleyan (12-6-1) def. No. 5 Union (11-6-1), 1-0
Game 3 - No. 7 Montreat (8-9-1) tied No. 2 Milligan (15-2-1), 1-1 (Montreat advanced on PKs, 5-4)
Game 4 - No. 6 Point (10-5-1) def. No. 3 Reinhardt (13-4), 1-0

Tuesday, Nov. 9 (at the higher seed's home site)
Game 5 - No. 4 Tennessee Wesleyan (12-6-2) tied No. 8 St. Andrews (9-7-3), 1-1 (TWU advanced on PKs, 4-3)
Game 6 - No. 6 Point (11-5-1) def. No. 7 Montreat (8-10-1), 1-0

Friday, Nov. 12 (at the higher seed's home site)
Game 7 - Championship Game - No. 6 Point (12-5-1) tied No. 4 Tennessee Wesleyan (12-7-2), 2-2 2OT (Point won on PKs, 5-3)