GSC TOURNAMENT CENTRAL

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A thrilling finish sent Spring Hill College to its first Gulf South Conference Men's Soccer Championship Game, presented by Newk's Eatery. After trailing 2-0, the top-seed Badgers scored three straight goals, including two in the final five minutes to defeat fifth-seed Lee University, 3-2, in the GSC Semifinals at Emory Folmar MCA Soccer Complex.

In the 89^th minute, Jack LaForge setup the game-winning goal with a long throw in to the left post of the Lee goal. Freshman forward Luca Carrese flicked a header to the feet of Donte Oliver, who pushed the ball past Flames keeper Daniel Hrenko for the go-ahead goal with 1:53 remaining in the game. It is his fourth career game-winning goal.

Moments before, in the 86^th minute, Oliver tied the game, 2-2, off an assist from Tilman Schober. The two goals, separated by 2:38 on the clock, are Oliver's third and fourth of the season. He also netted two goals on Oct. 4 at Shorter University.

The game began 50 minutes later than scheduled due to overtime in the previous semifinal. Spring Hill attacked early with two shots by Cyril Giraud saved by Hrenko in the first 12 minutes of action. Alexander Lipinski also had a shot saved before the Badgers allowed the first Lee shot on goal.

In the 25^th minute, Lee's Samaan Williams headed in a cross from Palle Jespersen for his eighth goal of the season and a 1-0 lead. That score remained until the 51^st minute when Lee was awarded a penalty kick, converted by Jared McWhorter to give the Flames a 2-0 lead.

Lipinski answered a minute later for Spring Hill, scoring his 16^th goal of the season on a pass from Diogo Sousa, 51:45 into the game. Over the next 34 minutes, Spring Hill held off four shots by Lee, including one off a corner kick, to keep the game close prior to Oliver's goals.

Barou Ndaw recorded the win in net for Spring Hill, playing 90 minutes with six saves and two goals allowed. Hrenko had four saves and allowed three goals for the Flames.

"Lee was fantastic tonight," said head coach Steve Wieczorek. "We hung in there and never stopped believing in ourselves no matter what the score was. We knew we could win it. I'm so proud of these guys. They are truly special."

Spring Hill (16-1) will meet second-seed University of West Florida (12-3-2) in the GSC Championship on Sunday, Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. CT. UWF advanced to the final on penalty kicks, 4-2, after battling to a 1-1 tie with University of Alabama Huntsville.

Sunday's championship will be broadcast live by the GSC, here.