WINGATE, N.C. - The Brevard College Tornados (8-8-2, 5-7 SAC) stunned the No. 1 Wingate Bulldogs (14-1, 11-1 SAC) by a final of 1-0 in South Atlantic Conference quarterfinal action, Tuesday night in Wingate, N.C.
"Absolute brilliant effort by this team tonight," said head men's soccer coach Shug Shinohara. "We dreamed this, believed in that dream and made it happen. This is a big night for all of the Brevard College alums, Coach Richardson, Coach Morrison, Coach Mascaro, Coach Kenny, Coach McClain and everyone else involved in our program, they worked hard in making this happen. I want to thank everyone involved in our program, this is a win for our entire school and I would like to thank everyone once again."
The Tornados would jump on the scoreboard early into the first half as junior midfielder Gabriel Garcia (Vinehedo, Brazil) netted the eventual game-winner at the 5:10 mark, capitalizing on a Bulldog miscue to give Brevard the early 1-0 lead.
Brevard would then turn the game over to a brilliant defensive performance by senior goaltender Heath Turner (Kansas City, Mo.) and a solid back line. Turner would end the evening with one of the all-time greatest performances as a member of the blue and white.
As the senior was called into action on seven occasions in the match, stifling the Bulldogs offense throughout the evening. The Kansas City, Mo. native turned in the play of the evening on a Wingate penalty kick by Callum Ross at the 62:15 mark, as the netminder dove to his right to turn away a game tying scoring attempt. Turner would make three incredible saves to close out the second half and give the Tornados their biggest win in NCAA Division II history.
"We came out strong," said Turner. Stuck to our game plan, of playing with fire and passion for 90 minutes of soccer, we played for each other and fought until the very end."
Despite a 24-6 shot advantage favoring the Bulldogs, the Tornados managed to make the most of their six shots on goal, landing three shots on frame, including the game-winning goal.
Tuesday's quarterfinal would be a fight to the finish as both squads combined for 31 fouls and three yellow cards, as Brevard's Tyler Nelson (Hope Mills, N.C.), Omar Jimenez (Forest City, N.C.) and Alexander Gerondidakis (Merritt Island, Fla.) received the three cautions.
Offensively, the Tornados were lead by the leg of Garcia who ended the matchup with three shots and the long goal, while Henrique Joaquim (Jundai, Brazil) Gerondidakis and Brock Tuttle (Harrisburg, N.C.) who combined for Brevard's remaining three shot attempts.
The Tornados will move on to the semifinal round of the SAC tournament as they prepare for the #5 Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters. Action is schedule for Friday, November 4 from Rock Hill, S.C.
