WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The No. 2 seed Fairleigh Dickinson men's soccer team got the decisive save in the seventh round of penalty kicks to win the Northeast Conference championship over No. 4 seed Saint Francis Pa on Sunday afternoon at West Haven High School. Both teams played to a 1-1 draw through regulation and two overtime sessions. With the draw, the Knights move to 9-5-6 on the season and advance to the NCAA Tournament, while the Red Flash end the year 6-7-7.

Junior goalkeeper Jacob Lissek, who was named the tournament's MVP, made a diving save to his right to give FDU its seventh NEC championship, including their second in five years and sixth since 2000. In 2002, the Knights won in a penalty kick shootout in both the semifinals and finals like this year.

"Wow, what a game...that was an intense battle," Head Coach Seth Roland said. "All year long, our guys have felt that they had some unfinished business to take care of from last year's NEC championship game, which inspired us for the past 365 days, and bringing home the 2012 NEC championship makes it all worthwhile. I could not be more proud of the guys, and it is great to see their comitment, work ethic and mentality rewarded."

FDU got off to a quick start as junior Nicholas Walker put the Knights up 1-0 in the 10th minute on a header from a beautiful corner kick by senior Jack McVey.

In the 35th minute, the Knights looked primed to take a 2-0 lead as freshman Simon Doherty found himself all alone on a breakaway. However, Saint Francis Pa. goalkeeper Daniel Valcicak, a First Team All-NEC performer, came out of the box and made a great play on
Doherty to prevent the goal.

With a little over 90 seconds before halftime, the Red Flash's Nick Kolarac took a corner kick, and James Price came in from his defensive position to tie the game at one on a header to the upper-right corner of the goal.

Over the first 45 minutes, FDU controlled most of the action and held a 7-4 advantage in shots and outshot Saint Francis Pa. in corner kicks, 7-4. Valcicak made a pair of saves for the Red Flash.

The Knights had early opportunities to score in the second half. Near the end of the 55th minute junior David Cornwell hit the post with a shot and freshman Jan Aubert's follow up was blocked. A minute later, redshirt junior Jeffrey Barrenechea and McVey saw their shots saved and sail high.

The Red Flash had a chance in the 75th and 76th minutes, but the FDU defense prevailed with a pair of blocked shots, while another shot went high.

After the Knights defense came up with more clutch plays down the stretch, the McVey to Walker connection almost ended the match at the end of regulation as Walker's header off the corner kick hit the far post with two seconds left on the clock.

Heading into overtime, FDU held a 12-11 advantage in shots and outshot Saint Francis Pa. 13-8 in corner kicks. Each goalkeeper made a save in the second half.

During the first overtime period, the Red Flash got the only shot off, which sailed high over the goal. Early in the second overtime, Cornwell ripped a shot in the 103rd minute that went high.

Things got very dicey for the Knights with around two minutes left before penalty kicks. After a corner kick by the Red Flash, Ryan Byers corralled the ball and ripped a shot that ricocheted off the crossbar. Price then had an opportunity but his header just skimmed off the top of the crossbar and over the goal, allowing FDU to survive for penalty kicks and a chance to win the title.

After the conclusion of 110 minutes, Saint Francis PA led in shots, 14-13, while the Knights led in corner kicks, 13-9.

FDU went first in the shootout and McVey drained his shot for a 1-0 lead. Lissek then kept it at 1-0 after making a beautiful save diving to his left. The Knights, however, could not extend the lead as Walker missed his shot to the right. The Red Flash then tied it at one.

Over the next four rounds, each team made converted their penalty kicks. In the seventh round, sophomore Nico Wright gave FDU a 6-5 advantage, which set up Lissek's dramatic tournament-clinching save.

"We all loved the loud and enthusiastic support of our FDU students, who came up on the fan bus, as well as the support of our families and friends," Roland said. "We tip our caps to Saint Francis Pa. Head Coach Mike Casper, his staff and his student-athletes because they are a very well-coached, hard working and outstanding team. It was one hell of a battle."

Lissek, Walker, senior Jason Wells and sophomore Anders Vest-Hansen were named to the All-Tournament Team. Lissek took home Tournament MVP honors.

The Knights will find out their next opponent after Monday's NCAA Selection Show, which will take place at 5:30 p.m. on www.ncaa.com. Opening round play begins on Thursday, Nov. 15.

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