BROWNS SUMMIT, N.C. – The semifinals of Conference Carolinas Men’s Soccer Championship ended with top seed Chowan University advancing and Francis Marion University pulling an upset on penalty kicks to reach the championship match.

#1 Chowan 3, #5 Young Harris 2
Conference Carolinas Offensive Player of the Year, Junior Smith, gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead with a goal in the 25th minute, assisted by Freshman of the Year Robbie Deighan. The lead was short-lived, however, as Young Harris College’s Jamie Lapsley netted the equalizer off of a corner kick in the 29th minute. Chowan responded three minutes later as Sam Deacon found the back of the net, regaining a 2-1 lead for Chowan.

The Hawk advantage stretched to 3-1 in the 47th minute on a goal from Matty Doyle on a header off of a free kick. The Mountain Lions pulled closer in the 60th minute when Leho Le Louarn played a ball over the defense to Sergio Llopart. Llopart then found Lapsley who ripped a shot into the back of the net. That was all the Hawks needed as they held on for the 3-2 victory to advance to their second straight championship match.

#3 Francis Marion 0, #Converse 0 (2OT, FMU 4-2 on PKs)
Francis Marion outplayed Converse through 90 minutes, holding Converse University without a shot. On the flip side, the Patriots took seven shots, placing three on frame, but all three were turned away. The first Converse shot came in the 105th minute, but it was off target. Francis Marion was held without a shot in both extra sessions, sending the contest to penalty kicks.

Francis Marion’s Edorta Cabieces and Converse’s Johannes Haden converted on the first penalty kick attempts before the next two shots were turned away. Juan Herrera regained the advantage for Francis Marion, and Tatsuki Kobayashi matched the effort for Converse. Juan Salazar Lopez converted the next attempt for Francis Marion before Alberto Aragoneses Lablanca came up with a save. Thomas Monayer then gave the Patriots the win when he converted the final attempt.

Fans can watch every game of the tournament live via the Conference Carolinas Digital Network and BlueFrame at conferencecarolinasdn.com. Information regarding the championship schedule, bracket and the Truist Soccer Complex at Bryan Park are available at the link above.

2024 Conference Carolinas Men's Soccer Championship
First Round – Thursday, November 7 (Higher Seed Hosts)
#9 Belmont Abbey def. #4 Barton, 2-0 Box Score
#5 Young Harris def. #8 Lees-McRae, 3-2 Box Score
#7 Mount Olive tied #6 Emmanuel, 3-3 (2OT, UMO 4-2 on PKs) Box Score

Quarterfinals – Sunday, November 10 (Higher Seed Hosts)
#5 Young Harris def. #9 Belmont Abbey, 3-0 Box Score
#3 Francis Marion def. #6 Mount Olive, 1-0 Box Score

Semifinals – Friday, November 15 (Truist Soccer Complex at Bryan Park – Browns Summit, N.C.)
#1 Chowan def. #5 Young Harris, 3-2 Box Score
#3 Francis Marion tied #2 Converse, 0-0 (2OT, FMU 4-2 on PKS) Box Score

Final – Sunday, November 17 (Truist Soccer Complex at Bryan Park – Browns Summit, N.C.)
#1 Chowan vs. #3 Francis Marion, 4:00 p.m.