Nov. 2, 2006
Box Score
Charlotte, N.C. - Duquesne University's men's soccer team advanced to the Atlantic 10 Championship Tournament semifinals via a 5-4 penalty kick shootout win over Charlotte Thursday night on the 49ers Transamerica Field. The game, which ended 0-0 after two overtimes, is a tie in the record books.
Senior Zach Varga, a selection on the 2006 All-Conference second team and the All-Conference Academic team, stopped Charlotte's first attempt and junior Travis MacKenzie made Duquesne's opening kick past goalie David Martin. All eight players got to the net in the next four rounds with senior Noah Salsi hitting the game-winner at #5. MacKenzie and Salsi received the same honors as Varga yesterday.
The other Duquesne markers were made by junior Nick Balara, sophomore Pat Flinn and freshman Alex Trujillo, an A-10 All-Rookie selection. Michael Rose, Tom Woollard, Luke Exley and Evan Harding were successful for Charlotte.
The defenses took center stage in the game. Charlotte (9-5-5), the number four seed, held a 17-10 edge in shots. Varga had seven saves for Duquesne (#5) while Martin had five for the 49ers. Both goalies are credited with a shutout which gives Varga 30 in his four-year career with DU; he has seven this season.
The Dukes (11-6-2) semifinal match is with nationally ranked (8) and number one seed Saint Louis (12-3-2), Friday, November 3, 2006, at 5:00 p.m. in Charlotte. Richmond (3rd) won the day's first match over #6 Xavier, 1-0, and will take on no. 3 Rhode Island following the DU-SLU game.
