FIREBIRDS ADVANCE TO ECC CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: #4 UDC Defeat Top Seeded STAC in ECC Semi-Final Match

SPARKHILL, N.Y.- the #4 seeded University of the District of Columbia's men's soccer team pulled off the upset of the season, defeating top seeded St Thomas Aquinas College in a penalty shootout (4-2) in the ECC Championship Semi-final game, on Saturday afternoon. The Firebirds move to 6-6-7 on the season and will advance to the ECC Championship Final, for the second time in program history. The Spartans (10-2-5, 7-0-1 ECC) will await a possible NCAA Tournament berth.

ECC First-Team pick, Axel Gamez scored the Firebirds lone goal in regulation, before going on to convert their first penalty shot. Vasco Irazola, Ivan Meza-Baez and Joseluiz Avalos were responsible for the Firebirds other three penalty goals. Third-Team Goalkeeper pick, Sergio Becerra made a critical save in the second round, stopping the offensive player of the year, Kevon Evans en route to UDC's 1-1 (4-2 PK's) win.

The Firebirds goal came in the 25th minute of play, after Eduardo Bugay blasted a long pass up the field, which deflected off the head of a Spartan defender and onto Gamez' foot, which he blasted straight over the head of the Spartans Goalkeeper into the net. 

UDC took the 1-0 lead into half-time and held onto it up until the 65th minute. STAC was awarded a free kick just outside the box which Andres Gonzales-Rios was able to convert into the game tying goal. 

After 110 minutes of play, with the score still tied at 1-1, the  winner of today's match up would be decided by a penalty shootout. The Firebirds won the coin toss and opted to take the first shot. 

Gamez and Avalos converted their shots into goals in the first two rounds. While STAC converted in the first round, Becerra denied Evans in the second round to give UDC the 2-1 advantage. Meza-Baez and Irazola scored their penalty kicks before Jalen Moni missed in the fourth round resulting in UDC's victory. 

The Spartans outshot the Firebirds 17-8, but were tied in shots on goal with six apiece. Becerra made a tied game-high five saves on the day.

The Firebirds (6-6-7, 3-1-4 ECC) are set to face off against the #3 seeded Queens College in the Championship game, in Flushing N.Y. next Satirday, November 11th. More details to follow.