MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—The Barry University men’s soccer team will travel to Boca Raton, the site of the SSC Tournament Championships, Friday afternoon in hopes of upsetting the #1 seeded Lynn University Fighting Knights.
After finishing the regular season 11-2-3, 3-2-3 in SSC play, and earning the tournament’s fourth seed the Bucs defeated the Lions of Saint Leo Tuesday night in dramatic fashion. The game remained tied at one after two overtimes which led to the penalty kick shootout.
The Bucs Johnny Rodrigues, Mark Anderson, Marc Rafols and Guilherme Oliveira all converted their penalty kicks and Rodrigues made a save, following a missed opportunity for the Lions, to give the Bucs the win by a final of 4-1 in the shootout.
Now the Bucs will look to avenge their regular season ending loss at the hands of their rivals, the Fighting Knights. The Buc’s 2-0 loss came just over a week ago in a match in which Barry played a man down for the majority of the game due to an ejection.
The Bucs are led by senior forward All-American, and recently named SSC Player of the Year, Mark Anderson, who leads all of Division II with 20 goals and 44 points, and are anchored by a veteran defensive third that posted a .90 Goals Against Average and five shutouts on the season.
In order for the Buccaneers to advance they will have to find a way to penetrate the Fighting Knights staggering defense that has only allowed eight goals in 16 games this season. Freshman of the Year, Jason Sagnha and goalkeeper, Matt Dicerbo anchor Lynn’s defense.
The Buccaneer’s focus remains on the Fighting Knights, but looking ahead the winner will move on to the SSC Tournament Championship match against the winner of Rollins versus Florida Tech.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon at McCusker Sports Complex, with live-stat as well as video/audio broadcast available through the Barry University athletics website, GOBARRYBUCS.COM.
Buccaneer fans can also follow our live coverage with interactive chat courtesy of COVERITLIVE.COM and Barry University Athletics. Just click on the link below and follow along!