Radford Eliminated from NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
CONWAY, S.C. – Radford's championship season came to a heartbreaking halt in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Men's Soccer Championships as the Highlanders were unable to battle back from Coastal Carolina's two first half goals in a 2-1 loss to the Chanticleers, Thursday afternoon in Radford's second consecutive tournament appearance.
The former Big South foes played stellar defense for the first 28 minutes of the contest as the Chanticleers held a 7-3 shot edge during the span with neither team managing a shot on frame.
Coastal Carolina broke the scoreless match in the 29
th minute as Einar Einarsson gained possession of a loose ball, firing a shot to the left side of the box to far post past a diving
Aitor Pouseu Blanco.
One minute later, the Chanticleers took advantage of a Highlander defensive miscue as Frantzdy Pierrot beat Pouseu Blanco, who came up to assist the Radford back line. Coastal Carolina's second goal in as many minutes gave the Chanticleers a commanding 2-0 lead, while holding the Highlanders to two shots the rest of the opening half.
After the second goal, Radford stormed down the field.
Fraser Colmer sent a shot in on goal in the 31
st minute, but Braulio Linares-Ortiz cleared the shot attempt.
At the break, Coastal Carolina commanded a 2-0 lead on a 14-5 shot advantage, while holding a 3-2 shots on goal edge.
Radford came out of halftime with a vengeance earning two corner kicks in the first three minutes of the second half.
Following a Coastal Carolina foul just in front of the box, Colmer lined up to take a free kick, curving the ball to the top left post to cut the deficit to one in the 50
th minute.
The Highlanders controlled the ball for most of the half, looking for their best opportunity for the equalizer. Radford received an opportunity in the 78
th minute as
Michael Walsh's attempt missed just high as Linares-Ortiz came off his line to assist the Chanticleer defense.
Radford's second shot on goal in the half came in the 84
th minute as
Jakob Strandsäter got free on the left side of the box sending a shot through the Chanticleer defense, but a diving stop by Linares-Ortiz closed out the Highlanders best opportunity to knot the match.