The Alfredo Rivera-to-Ian Aramburu connection once again proved to be clutch for the No. 16-seeded Georgia Gwinnett College men's soccer team.

The duo contributed to the game-winning goal with 67 seconds remaining in GGC's dramatic 3-2 victory against Life University (Ga.) to capture the Lawrenceville Bracket Opening Round Saturday afternoon at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

Georgia Gwinnett (13-3-3) advances to the Round of 16 in the NAIA men's soccer national championship for the third consecutive season. The team will be playing in Irvine, Calif., on Dec. 2.

All of the Grizzlies' goals Saturday were scored by seniors, who didn't want their careers to end in Lawrenceville. Carlos Delarosa and Malik Thornell accounted for the first two goals.

"It was great that all of our goals came from seniors. Sometimes seniors don't play their best because they have postseason nerves. However, these three seniors played a huge role in why we're going to California. Three trips in a row to the final site is massive for our program," said Head Coach Steve DeCou.

Rivera played a free kick from 30 yards away toward Life's goal. Aramburu dashed to catch up with the ball in mid-air and bumped it off his chest into the open net. The same Rivera-to-Aramburu duo connected on a goal off a similar free kick in an overtime match against Keiser University (Fla.) on Sept. 20.

Aramburu's match-winning goal was his second tally of his career.

"I am so happy to win this match with this group. We fought for each other," said Aramburu.

The Grizzlies fell behind in the 21st minute when Thierry Jules headed the ball into the GGC net from a crossing pass by Felipe Batagini.

Delarosa squared the match, 1-1, in the 36th minute with a shot from the top of the 18-yard box in front of the Life goal. Aramburu provided an assisting pass from the midfield.

Two minutes later, Thornell gave the hosts a 2-1 lead when a shot from 18 yards away landed into the upper right corner of the opposing net.

Life (13-5-1) battled back in the second half when Martin Cortes converted a penalty kick into a goal in the 50th minute, tying the contest at 2-2.

The Grizzlies defeated Life 3-2 for the second time this season in Lawrenceville, also winning a regular-season match Sept. 15. This time they outshot the Running Eagles by a 12-5 margin, including a 9-2 edge in the second half.
 


Coach's Corner
"Our goal all season has been to return to California. This was a great effort because Life made us work for everything, and we knew that would happen. As the game went on, I thought that Carlos (Delarosa) could be a spark plug for us off the bench, based off how well he has trained lately. I knew we had a third goal in us," said Head Coach Steve DeCou.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies had three chances to score the third goal before senior Ian Aramburu found the back of the net in the 89th minute. An offside call disallowed a goal in the 59th minute. Sophomore Edward Raji had a one-on-one breakaway opportunity in the 65th minute, only to be stopped by Life goalkeeper Fabian Pekruhl. In the 79th minute, senior Carlos Delarosa nearly scored his second goal of the match. The team finally came through with the elusive third goal when Aramburu scored off a free kick from junior Alfredo Rivera.
 
Goals
21' – Thierry Jules, LU (Felipe Batagini)
36' – Carlos Delarosa, GGC (Ian Aramburu)
38' – Malik Thornell, GGC (unassisted)
50' – Martin Cortes, LU (penalty kick)
89' – Ian Aramburu, GGC (Alfredo Rivera)
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies recorded nine of their 12 shots during the second half
• GGC outshot Life by a 12-5 margin, including an 8-2 advantage on shots on goal
• Nine different players attempted a shot for the Grizzlies
• Georgia Gwinnett had six corner kicks in the match

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 13-3-3 on the season, while Life ends the 2019 season with a 13-5-1 record
• Georgia Gwinnett College was the No. 16 national seed in the 2019 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship tournament
• The Grizzlies have won all four prior meetings with Life, including a pair of 3-2 decisions this season in Lawrenceville; the first encounter was a regular-season match on Sept. 15.
• GGC is making its third straight trip to the NAIA national championship final site

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College advances to the Round of 16 and will play the winner of the Fayette Bracket in Irvine, Calif., on Dec. 2.