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MSOC10.26.25
1
Winner Life LIFE (13-1-2, 9-1-0)
0
Dalton State (GA) DALTON S (8-3-5, 3-3-4)
Winner
Life LIFE
(13-1-2, 9-1-0)
1
Final
0
Dalton State (GA) DALTON S
(8-3-5, 3-3-4)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Life LIFE 1 0 1
Dalton State (GA) DALTON S 0 0 0

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Davis Barlow: Assistant Sports Information Director

Men's Soccer Wins First Ever SSAC Regular Season Championship, Takes Down Dalton 1-0

NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 1, Dalton State 0
Records: Life U, 12-1-2 (8-1-0 SSAC); Dalton State, 8-3-5 (3-3-4 SSAC)

DALTON, Ga. — The Life University men's soccer team won the SSAC Regular Season Championship on Sunday afternoon, taking down the Roadrunners of Dalton State by a score of 1-0. The lone goal of the contest came in the 43rd minute by way of Andrei Apostu. This win marks the first SSAC regular season championship in program history. 

 The contest opened with the Running Eagles having a corner opportunity just one minute in, setting the tone for the afternoon. Life U continued to fire away in the early minutes of the contest, narrowly scoring in the 15th minute when Enrico Burigotto rattled the crossbar. After Augusto Del Rio forced back-to-back saves out of the Roadrunner keeper, Andrei Apostu came within inches of putting his squad on top, but only found the post. 

The Life U defense stifled the opposing forwards all half, with Dalton State finding its first shot of the game in the 27th minute. 

Half time loomed in Dalton, with the Running Eagles unable to break through the Roadrunner's defense. However, things changed in the 43rd minute when Alvaro Hidalgo played a great through ball towards the feet of Apostu. Taking just one touch, the Romanian beat the Dalton State keeper for the opening goal of the contest.

Life U carried the 1-0 lead into the half time break, allowing one shots on goal from the home team while posting five of its own.

Out of the half, the Running Eagles continued to press for a second goal, hoping to add insurance. Early shots from Kaito Nakayama forced the Dalton State keeper back into action but Life U remained unable to find a second goal. Both teams brought the physicality in the second half, with five yellow cards being issued in a three-minute span midway through the half.

Looking for a late equalizer, Dalton State recorded its only two shots on goal in the second half in the 77th and 78th minute, but both were saved by keeper Pawel Wolny. The Roadrunners final shot, which was off target, came in the 79th minute.

In a tense final ten minutes, Life U closed out the win and claimed the programs first ever SSAC Regular Season Championship.

"8-1 in conference and the regular season champions. Per usual, Dalton forced us to go to the limit and this too could have been any round in the National Championship," said Head Coach Alex Pama. "It makes our conference so great and tough at the same time. No game you can take for granted and I have to say, we didn't and the guys deserve every bit of this. Now a tough opening match at home Friday to start our conference tournament. We thank the many many folks who came up from Marietta to support us today and ask kindly if you can support us Friday as well. The boys are going to need it."

 
Up next, #1 Life U will host #8 Blue Mountain in the first round of the SSAC tournament on Friday, Oct. 31 at 7:30 PM.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Life U dominated the shot count, 19-10.
--The Running Eagles had seven corners while Dalton State had just two.
--There were 23 fouls and seven yellow cards issued in the game.

TURNING POINT:
--Andrei Apostu scored the game-winning goal in the 43rd minute. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Andrei Apostu scored the game-winning goal.
--Alvaro Hidalgo assisted the game-winning goal.
--Pawel Wolny was called upon three times, making all three saves.
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