Notables
-CSS outshot MLC 44-8
-Marks 19th straight win for CSS against MLC
-First postseason meeting between the two teams since 2003
-CSS has not lost a UMAC Tournament game since 2008

DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) - The St. Scholastica men's soccer team faced Martin Luther College in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Tournament semifinals on Wednesday and came away with a close 1-0 victory. That win allows them to move on to the UMAC championship game on Saturday.

Scoreless First
Throughout the first half, the Saints offense saw lots of chances at putting points on the board, but never managed to get a shot past the keeper. At the end of the first 45 minutes, the score remained tied at zero, despite the Saints tallying up 21 shots, six of which were on goal, to the Knights' five. 

Late CSS Success
The beginning of second half looked much like the first. St. Scholastica held the ball for long periods of time and had some opportunities but couldn't capitalize. Finally, in the 73rd minute of the game, Armin Bobaric (Andover, Minn./Andover HS) got a shot over the goal line off a Saints corner kick to put CSS up 1-0. Luke Buckton (Bath, England/Writhlington School) was credited with the assist on the play. 

The Knights kept pushing, but without success, and the pressure of the close score and expiring time made for some scrappy play on both sides. In the last five minutes of the game, three yellow cards were given out. Despite MLC's effort, the score wouldn't change and time expired, earning the Saints the 1-0 playoff victory.

Notable Performances
Kyle Farrar (London, England/Kelsey Park Sports College) led the offense with four shots on goal, followed by Buckton who had three. Ryan Flynn (Adelaide, Australia/Modbury HS (Century College)) and Jonny Harkin (Birmingham, England/St. Benedicts School) both pressured the keeper as well, with two shots each. Sandy Davidson-Hunt (Kenora, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas) collected four saves to earn his third consecutive victory. For Martin Luther, Joseph Graumann had two of the four shots on goal. Keeper Caleb King had 15 saves on the day.

Up Next
The Saints (12-7-0) move on to face Bridge Rival University of Wisconsin-Superior in the UMAC Tournament championship game for the second straight year. UWS defeated the University of Northwestern 5-1 today. The Saints and Yellowjackets will kickoff at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Saints Field. Follow the action live on Saints Sports Net.