Falcons Capture First PBC Championship in School History

EVANS, Ga. – The University of Montevallo men’s soccer team (18-2-1) captured the University’s first Peach Belt Conference Championship with a 2-1 win over #11 Flagler College (14-4-1) in the PBC Tournament Championship Match hosted at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans, Ga. Senior Nathaniel Foster (Brampton, Ontario/Humberview Secondary School) was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player after scoring five of UM’s seven goals including the game-winner in all three PBC Tournament matches.

Foster was joined on the All-Tournament team by senior Nathan Archard (Huntsville, Ala./Grissom), junior Phil Jackson (Lincolnshire, England/Queen Elizabeth's) and sophomore Mike Rinzema (Brampton, Ontario/Cardinal Leger).

Foster got the scoring started for the Falcons in the 27th minute as he was fed a ball by senior Daniel Pelletier (Crestwood, Ky./South Oldham) and found himself one-on-one with the FC keeper. Foster slotted the ball in the bottom left corner to give UM a 1-0 lead.

The game went into halftime with the same 1-0 score. FC outshot Montevallo 6-5 in the first half and each keeper had one save. Just 11 minutes into the second half Foster once again provided the spark for the Falcons as he streaked down the near sideline and beat the FC defense for another one-on-one with the keeper. This time he slotted the ball to the right side and gave UM a 2-0 lead.

The Saints responded just four minutes later as Zach Shanahan fired a free kick off the UM keeper which rebounded to the feet of Pol Berenguer. Berenguer buried the ball into the back of the net to cut the lead to just one.

The Falcons defense held strong for the final 25 minutes to capture the Falcons first Conference Championship since 2004 and first in the Peach Belt Conference.

Freshman goalkeeper Brendan Ledgeway (York, England/All Saints) made three saves in the match as he captured his 17th victory of the season tying the UM record for most wins in a season by a goalkeeper. The Falcons 18th victory as a team also ties a school record for most wins in a season.

Foster led the Falcons in shots with four while Will Frandsen led the Saints with four.

Matt Gilman took home the loss for the Saints as he made three saves.

The Falcons will await the selection show for the 2010 NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament which will take place tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. (CST) on NCAA.com.