Bruins rally to claim fifth-straight CAC Title

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga -- Second-seeded and RV, Georgia Gwinnett took an early lead, but the top-seeded and No. 7 ranked Bellevue University men's soccer team rallied with Edwin Cisneros scoring the game-winner via a 51stminute golazo as the Bruins claimed their fifth-straight Continental Athletic Conference Tournament Championship on Wednesday afternoon.

With the victory, the Bruins improved to 15-2-2 overall and secured the CAC's automatic berth to next week's NAIA National Tournament. The Grizzlies fall to 11-6-2 and will await the selection committee's decision regarding their postseason fate. The NAIA Men's Soccer Selection Show is set for Saturday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m.

Moments after Georgia Gwinnett had the game's first clear scoring chance, the Grizzlies found the back of the net on the ensuing corner kick. Toufik Najem played a cross to the front post that skipped up and into the back for the net for a 1-0 GGC lead in the fourth minute.
CAC Player of the Year Alejandro Contrera settled the ball in the box, but Taariq Ganga made an acrobatic save to turn away the effort for a corner kick that turned into a goal.

Edwin Cisneros won a free kick for the Bruins in a dangerous area, about a foot outside the penalty area, in the 13th minute. Matias Daniel-Doren whipped a shot off the wall, and the carom found its way to Carlos Ortega Arguelles, who saw his shot saved by Dagoberto Romero.

Jeremiah Hteh created a chance for BU, winning a PK in the 23rd minute. Daniel-Doren stepped to the spot and blasted home the equalizer. The goal was Daniel-Doren's team-leading seventh of the season.

Bellevue's attackers continued to fluster the GGC defense, with Daniel-Doren winning a free kick in the 35th minute after a reckless challenge a few yards outside of the box. Fletcher Hedge's shot was turned away by the Grizzly wall as the game remained tied.

With 90 seconds remaining in the half, Bellevue was called for a foul at the edge of their penalty area, giving Georgia Gwinnett a free kick from 19 yards direct at goal. Kevin Diaz unleashed a shot that sailed harmlessly over the crossbar, and the teams took an even scoreline into the half.

He created a dangerous chance at goal, finessing the ball through traffic for ripping a 48th-minute shot that ticked off the post.

Bellevue used some quick passing three minutes later to take the lead. Daneil-Doren took a pass, pivoted, and slid another along to Cisneros, who ripped a blast, in stride, from 30 yards into the back of the net for a 2-1 lead.

Ganga made a pair of big saves for the Bruins, redirecting an effort from Najem in the 58th minute and coming up with a diving stop on Contrera in the 73rd minute to keep the Bruins in front.

Ciro Damine had a chance from long-range for the Grizzlies in the 76th minute, but his shot sailed wide of the mark.

The last good scoring chance for GGC came in the 89th minute after they won a 50-50 ball, and Nic Peranitsch came away with possession. He was able to get a shot off but it, too, missed wide of its target.

Bellevue finished off the victory to claim their fifth-straight CAC Tournament title and 14th conference tournament title overall. The win also secured Bellevue's 11th NAIA National Tournament Appearance, all coming since 2008.

Georgia Gwinnett out-shot BU 15-8 on the day and 7-4 on goal while piling up a 4-1 edge in corner kicks.

Cisneros took home CAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors while Buster Honeywood and Ortega joined him on the CAC All-Tournament Team.