VSN (admin) Published Saturday April 24th, 2021 – 19:01

Santa Barbara, California – The Central Methodist’s No.1 men’s football program secured its ticket to the NAIA National Championship final venue, defeating No.2 seeded Corban (Oregon), 3-1 in the championship opener from Santa Barbara Bracket Saturday afternoon in Santa Barbara, Calif.

With this victory, Central reaches the final site for the third consecutive season and improves its overall record to 21-1. The Warriors end their season with a 9-2-1 score.

Central’s attack put early pressure on Corban’s back line and got a foul in the box for a penalty opportunity. Freshman midfielder Theo Klein converted to PK, giving CMU a 1-0 lead just seven minutes into the game.

The Eagles would carry the lead 1-0 at halftime. Barely 46 seconds into the second, Mark Csongradi shot a ball past the Warriors goalie for a goal, with the help of Alessandro Lacerti.

Central had a 2-0 advantage for the next 30 minutes before Corban responded to the Eagles’ offense with a goal of his own in the 76th minute, reducing the lead to 2-1.

Freshman Markus Esko shut the door on any return from Corban with Central’s third goal of the game in the 89th minute. CMU were clamoring for a 3-1 victory to win their third consecutive trip to the final venue.

Klein and Alessandro Salvadego led the central attack with six shots each, while Klein collected his sixth goal of the spring season. Four of Klein’s shots were framed. Carlos Scheckermann, Victor Luengo and Clayton Duarte finished the match with two shots each.

Overall, CMU fired 23 shots, including 10 on frame, compared to just three shots and two on goal for the Warriors.

Central secured a first-round pass at the final venue and will face winner of No.8 Cumberlands (Ky.) And No.9 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) Thursday, May 6 at 1:00 p.m. (CST) in the quarterfinals in Columbia County, Georgia.

Central Methodist University Corban University Soccer Men’s Cascade Collegiate Conference Heart of America Sports Conference Match Results