SARASOTA, Fla. - New College of Florida Men's Soccer closed the regular season with a 1-1 draw against Ave Maria University on Senior Day Wednesday afternoon at NCF Bayfront Field.
The Mighty Banyans finished the regular season 4-4-7 overall and 2-1-5 in Sun Conference play. NCF recorded 11 conference points to secure the No. 5 seed in the Sun Conference Tournament.
Before kickoff, NCF recognized 11 seniors: Davide Sedini, Tiziano Bernardi, David Blandino, Samuel Pinzón, Peter Simmons, Jalen Lucas, Theo Weber, Andre Cabral, Andrés García, José Gutiérrez and Henrique Furlan.
Ducamel Jeannestin scored his eighth goal of the season from the penalty spot to give NCF the lead in the 62nd minute. The Mighty Banyans finished with a 19-8 advantage in shots and placed nine attempts on goal.
NCF is locked into the No. 5 seed after Southeastern secured the head-to-head tiebreaker with its 4-3 victory over the Mighty Banyans earlier this season. Florida Memorial completed conference play with 10 points and cannot pass NCF.
The Mighty Banyans will travel for the conference quarterfinals next Wednesday. Southeastern, SCAD and St. Thomas remain possible opponents, with the results of Southeastern's remaining matches against St. Thomas and SCAD determining the No. 4 seed and quarterfinal host.
HOW IT HAPPENED
NCF applied pressure throughout the opening half and forced Ave Maria goalkeeper Noah Balyeat into four saves over the first 16 minutes.
Lawrence Walsh produced the first shot on goal in the eighth minute before Jeannestin placed attempts on frame in the 13th and 15th minutes. Cameron Johnson followed with another shot on target in the 16th.
Furlan made saves in the ninth and 33rd minutes to keep the match scoreless heading into halftime.
The Mighty Banyans nearly broke through early in the second half when Walsh struck the post in the 52nd minute.
Dante Pinoargote placed consecutive attempts on goal in the 59th and 61st minutes before NCF earned a penalty kick. Jeannestin converted the opportunity at the 61:18 mark to give the Mighty Banyans a 1-0 advantage.
NCF was reduced to 10 players in the 68th minute but continued to create opportunities. Johnson placed another shot on goal in the 73rd minute as the Mighty Banyans searched for an insurance goal.
Ave Maria found the equalizer at the 79:49 mark when the ball deflected off a Mighty Banyan defender and into the NCF net for an own goal.
Jeannestin and Cuba Soerensen each produced attempts over the final four minutes, but neither side found a game-winner before the final whistle.
THE TURNING POINT
NCF carried its one-goal lead into the final 11 minutes despite playing down a player.
Ave Maria pulled even at the 79:49 mark on an own goal, preventing the Mighty Banyans from closing the regular season with a victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
5
Seed secured by the Mighty Banyans in the Sun Conference Tournament.
8
Goals scored by Jeannestin this season.
11
Seniors recognized before the regular-season finale.
19
Shots recorded by NCF, including nine on goal.
6
Corner kicks earned by the Mighty Banyans.
STAT LEADERS
Goal: Ducamel Jeannestin - 1
Shots: Ducamel Jeannestin - 5; Cameron Johnson - 3; Juan Palomino - 3; Lawrence Walsh - 2; Cuba Soerensen - 2; Juan Gomez-Cuetara - 2; Dante Pinoargote - 2
Shots on Goal: Ducamel Jeannestin - 3; Cameron Johnson - 3; Dante Pinoargote - 2; Lawrence Walsh - 1
Goalkeeper: Henrique Furlan - 90 minutes, 1 goal allowed, 2 saves
UP NEXT: No. 5 seed NCF will open the Sun Conference Tournament on the road next Wednesday. The Mighty Banyans' quarterfinal opponent and match time will be determined following the completion of the conference schedule.
