FROM STAFF REPORTS

GREENWOOD, S.C. – The University of Montevallo men’s soccer team ended its season with a 3-1 loss to Wingate University in the opening round of the NCAA Division II men’s soccer tournament Nov. 9 on the Lander University campus.

Wingate scored three goals in the first 20 minutes of the match, leaving the Falcons with an early deficit in the NCAA Division II Southeast Region quarterfinal match.

Freshman Pierre Omanga scored the lone goal in the match, his team-leading 15^th goal of the season, for the Falcons (13-5-2) in the 51^st minute of the contest.

Victor Tozelli of Wingate scored the opening goal in the match in the second minute off an assist from Gui Andrade.

Wingate extended its lead to 2-0 in the 19^th minute following an unassisted goal by Peron Da Silva. Wingate found the net again less than a minute later when Andrade recorded his second assist in the match on a goal by Sean Gadsby, which left the Falcons with a 3-0 deficit midway through the opening half.

Omanga cut the deficit to 3-1 with his second-half goal, but the Falcons couldn’t find the additional two goals needed to tie the match in the second half.

Montevallo junior goalkeeper Brendan Ledgeway allowed three goals in the defeat, which tied for the most goals the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year has allowed in a single match this season.

The Falcons closed out a season that saw Montevallo clinch its fourth conference tournament championship in school history after securing its second Peach Belt Conference tournament title. Montevallo made its seventh appearance in the NCAA Division II men’s soccer tournament, including its third consecutive appearance in the tournament.