Pioneers Secure AAC Tournament Berth with Draw at Truett McConnell
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Spartanburg Methodist (4-7-4, 4-5-3) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
Truett McConnell (9-4-3, 7-2-3) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Cleveland, GA - Vying for a spot in next week's Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Soccer Tournament, the Spartanburg Methodist College men's soccer team clinched its berth with a 1-1 draw against host Truett McConnell on Saturday.
The Pioneers (4-7-3, 4-5-2 AAC) struck first when junior Michael Torres took a pass from Anthoney Bedolla Menera and flicked it past the Bears' keeper to the lower right corner in the 38th minute.
The Bears (9-4-3, 7-2-3 AAC) managed to equalize just seven seconds before halftime on a Guillermo Peino goal.
"I'm incredibly proud of the team's performance today," said SMC head coach Doug Smith. "Earning a hard-fought tie against Truett McConnell secured our spot in the AAC Tournament—a huge accomplishment in our first year in the conference. The fight, hunger, and belief these men show every game is something every coach dreams of. We hope to carry this momentum into Union."
SMC outshot TMU 10-8 in the first half before the Bears responded with a strong second half, holding a 14-2 shot advantage. Despite the pressure, the Pioneers' defense—anchored by goalkeeper Francesco Molinar—stood firm. Molinar finished with nine saves to preserve the 1-1 result.
The draw extends SMC's unbeaten streak to five matches and secures the No. 8 seed in the upcoming AAC Tournament. The Pioneers will face Union College on Thursday, Oct. 31. Game time will be announced at a later date.
