Sissoko strike punches BU ticket to CAC Finals, Nationals

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Oumar Sissoko put the disappointment of BU's frustrating regular-season in the rearview with his 71^st minute strike to lift the Bellevue University men's soccer team to a 1-0 win over #5 Georgia Gwinnett College in the semifinal round of the CAC Tournament on Friday.

Bellevue improves to 6-10-3 on the year and secures their third-straight trip to the NAIA National Tournament, fourth in five years, and ninth in program history.

Georgia Gwinnett (12-2-2), ranked in the top 10 all season, is all but certain to receive an at-large bid to next week's NAIA Opening Round.

A steady rain fell throughout play though the weather overall seemingly had little impact on the match as temperatures remained in the mid-60's and there was minimal wind to impact play on the Grizzly Soccer Complex turf.

With the score deadlocked at 0-0 through 70-plus minutes of play, it was Oumar Sissoko's 11^th career game-winning goal that opened the scoring.

Bellevue worked the ball through the middle of the field before Fletcher Hedge sent a ball into the box. Alvaro Moros Sanz received the pass and slipped a pass to Sissoko who volleyed a shot across goal and into the back of the net.

Sissoko moved into a three-way tie for second place with Rob Smith and Inaki Aldao for most career game-winning goals.

Romeo Paparesta came up with five saves to record the shutout including key stops late in each half to keep the Grizzlies off the scoreboard and secure the victory.

Andreas von Muecke stopped one of the two shots he faced for GGC.

The stat sheet largely favored the host Grizzlies who out-shot Bellevue 10-5 (5-2 on goal) but Georgia Gwinnett was unable to capitalize on several quality scoring chances, in part a testament to Bellevue's defense and goalkeeping.

The victory adds another chapter to one of the more heated rivalries in NAIA soccer. Bellevue and GGC met in the regular-season less than a month ago with the Grizzlies claiming a 2-0 victory in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The meeting was the fourth all-time between BU and Georgia Gwinnett in the CAC (formerly A.I.I.) Tournament and the first outside of the Championship Game. GGC won the first two matchups while Bellevue won the 2020 affair and today to even the series at 2-2-0 in those meetings.

Bellevue awaits the winner of Viterbo University and Florida National University in tomorrow's title game. Kick-off for that match is set for 3 p.m.