DUE WEST-- The Erskine men's soccer team found themselves only seconds away from advancing in the quarterfinals of the Conference Carolinas Tournament on Tuesday afternoon at Huggins Field, but a goal by Mt. Olive's John Kwennah as time expired in regulation tied the score at 1-1. Following two scoreless overtime periods the match went to a shootout, where Mt. Olive bested the Fleet 4-2 to advance to Friday's semi-finals at Limestone. The loss ended Erskine's season at 8-7-3.
Mt. Olive and Erskine played to a scoreless tie three weeks ago in Mt. Olive so the stage was set for a thrilling game. Erskine senior Jack Kimber (Manchester, England) scored for the Fleet in the match's 30 minute to give the Fleet a 1-0 lead. The goal came after a long punt by Erskine goalie Roberto De La Vina was touched perfectly by freshman Ross Henderson to sophomore Marco Borsetto on the right wing. Borsetto struck a cross into the middle that Erskine sophomore Andrew Settlemire ran through on a fake and Kimber followed behind with a blast from just outside the penalty area. From that point both teams saw chances fall by the wayside thanks primarily to excellent goalkeeping from De La Vina and Mt. Olive freshman Nick Bernsdorf. As both teams traded attempts, Erskine continue dto hold their 1-0 lead into the match's final minute. As the seconds ticked away toward zero, Mt. Olive's Emmanuel Wennah fired a shot that De La Vina knocked down but John Kwennah pounced on the loose ball and pounded it into the back of the net as time expired
Two scoreless overtime periods that saw little threats led to the final shootout to see who would advance in the tournament. Kimber got the first opportunity for Erskine but his penalty kick bounded off the right post. Mt. Olive took quick advantage with successful attempts from Kelly Keaton, Tyler Vanevender, and Craig Allan. Erskine's P.C. Henry and De La Vina both executed their attempts perfectly but when Bernsdorf knocked down the Fleet's Ross Henderson's attempt, Kwennah got the to be the hero the second time in the match by finishing the shootout with Mt. Olive up 4-2.
