Box Score PENSACOLA, Fla. - The Delta State Statesmen Soccer team advanced to the Gulf South Conference Tournament Championship Game with a 3-2 win over No. 24 West Florida Friday afternoon.
The third time was the charm for the Statesmen, getting revenge on West Florida after losing twice to the Argos this season, including two weeks ago.
After giving up the second goal to West Florida, the Statesmen answered back immediately, winning a corner chance.
Amine Rahmani sent the corner kick to the near post, where
Jack Pilley headed the ball toward the goal. Caue Da Silva headed the ball from Pilley over Sealy for the eventual game winner.
The goal was Da Silva's 16th of the season.
Senior captain
Steven Simmons scored the first and second goals of the match and came up with a huge defensive save late in the match to help preserve the lead.
Simmons scored the first goal after drawing a foul just outside of the box. Simmons took the free kick and placed it in the upper left corner for the goal at 12:20 in the match. Argos' goalkeeper Ramon Sealy got a hand on the ball but was unable to keep it out of the next.
West Florida answered, scoring late in the first half. Dillon Gallet took a through ball through the air and scored on a breakaway at the 36:30 mark to send the game to the half with a 1-1 tie.
The Statesmen held 1-0 and 2-1 leads in both previous matches this season. They took a 2-1 lead on Simmons' second goal of the match just under eight minutes into the second half. The Liverpool, England native took the ball from a West Florida defender, turned and put a rocket past Sealy to put the Statesmen back up top.
Less than five minutes later, West Florida tied the match with a goal from Felipe Olivera.
The win marks the first time the Statesmen have ever defeated a team from Florida, 0-16-0 in previous matches, including an 0-9-0 mark against West Florida.
The Statesmen advance to the championship match on Sunday against Christian Brothers. The game will start at 11 a.m. at Escambia County Stadium in Ashton Bronsnaham Park.
