MARIETTA, Ga. - The University of Tennessee Southern men's soccer team began Southern State Athletic Conference Championship play traveling to the fourth seed Life University on Saturday afternoon. Life scored quickly in the second minute to take the early lead. The Firehawks answered on a goal by Mak Binder (Manuel Flores assist) in the sixth minute. The match wouldn't stay tied for long, as Life found the net again in the seventh minute. UTS would trail for the next 18 minutes. Flores sliced and diced his way to an open look to level the match at two before the break. UTS led in shots 10-7 and both teams had six shots on frame.
In the second half, the Firehawks took their first lead of the match int eh 64^th minute. Flores netted his second of the match from the Carlos Galan helper. Michael Anderson made multiple big saves in the final 25 minutes. Life would tie the match at three with under two minutes left. The Runnin' Eagles took advantage of a set piece just outside the 18-yard box.
During overtime, both teams had great looks to suddenly end the game, but couldn't find the nets. Both teams had 19 shots in the match, but LU led in shots on frame 14-11.
PK SHOOTOUT
With the match officially deemed a tie, both teams started out with five shots to decide who would advance to Montgomery. Both UTS and Life were perfect in the initial shootout remaining tied at five successful tries each. Once again after six rounds, neither team had missed and were still deadlocked at six. In the seventh round of shots, Anderson came up with the biggest save of the season setting up a chance for Binder to send the Firehawks to the semifinals. Binder's shot sailed into the net advancing the Firehawks to their first conference semifinal since 2022 when the UTS fell to Lindsey Wilson 3-1.
SCORING RECAP
First Half
1^st – (5:17) Mak Binder assisted by Manuel Flores
2^nd – (34:08) Flores unassisted
Second Half
3^rd – (63:15) Flores assisted by Carlos Galan
SSAC CHAMPIONSHIP
With today's tie, UT Southern advances to the conference semifinals.
SSAC Quarterfinal Scores
#1 seed Mobile def. #8 seed Blue Mountain Christian, 6-1
#5 seed UT Southern tied #4 seed Life, 3-3 (UTS advanced 7-6 in PK's)
#2 seed Dalton State def. #7 seed Thomas, 3-0
#3 seed William Carey def. #6 seed Faulkner, 2-1
NEXT UP
The Firehawks will travel to the Gump, to battle Mobile in the SSAC Championship Semifinal on November 7^th. The semifinals and final will be held at Emory Folmar YMCA Complex. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. UTS lost UM earlier in the season at Grissom Pitch 5-2.
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