WINGATE, N.C. – Lincoln Memorial's return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007 was short-lived, as the sixth-seeded Railsplitters (10-5-3) were eliminated by third-seeded Landed (13-3-2) 1-0 Friday night at Pride Park on the campus of Wingate University. The Bearcats advance to the next round to face host and defending national champion Wingate.
George Knight's 25
th-minute goal proved to be the difference. Oliver Brock picked up his 11
th assist on the play by sending a cross to the left, where Knight finished off his third score of the season.
Other than the one chance, Lander's high-powered offense—which entered the match ninth in the nation at 2.71 goals per game and 20
th with 16.53 shots per game—struggled to create chances. The Railsplitters outshot Lander 10-5 and attempted all three of the game's corners. Shots on goal were tied at three apiece, though the Bearcats didn't land another shot on goal after scoring and only mustered one shot over the game's final 65 minutes.
LMU had several chances to score but couldn't capitalize.
Danilo da Silva created an open look in the 35
th minute, but his shot was straight at goalkeeper Dean Cowdroy. Da Silva had an even better chance in the 73
rd minute when he beat Cowdroy and seemingly had an open net to score on, but a Lander defender hustled back to deny the shot from going in.
Victor Peres attempted a bicycle kick in the 82
nd minute, but his attempt sailed just over the crossbar.
Caleb Cothrin was busy early in the game and made both of his saves within the first 11 minutes. Cowdroy, his counterpart, made all three of his saves in the first half as well.
Da Silva and
Andres Pratto each attempted three shots and were the only players on either side to attempt more than one. They also accounted for all three of LMU's shots on goal.
Quick Hits
- This marked the first meeting between Lincoln Memorial and Lander.
- Lander won its first NCAA Tournament game in three trips dating back to 2013.
- LMU falls to 6-3-1 in NCAA tournament play.
