Third-seeded Florida National University scored a pair of second-half goals to defeat the No. 2 seed Georgia Gwinnett College 2-0 in the semifinal round of the Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) men's soccer tournament Friday night at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

Constantino Higa redirected a shot from Marcos Bakale in the 69th minute to give Florida National a 1-0 lead. The Conquistadors (9-3-2) also benefitted from an own goal when a long pass ricocheted off a FNU player and went into the back of the GGC net.

Florida National advances to face top-seeded Bellevue University (Nebraska) for the CAC championship on Saturday, November 13, at 7 p.m.

As a tournament finalist FNU secured one of the CAC's two automatic bids to the NAIA national tournament. Meanwhile, GGC (9-5-1 and a No. 15 nationally ranking) will await its postseason fate Monday when at-large teams are announced for the 40-team NAIA national tournament.

Georgia Gwinnett College and Florida National battled through a competitive first half with the tournament hosting Grizzlies registering three shots in the first half. Freshman Jack Brown attempted a shot from the top of the 18-yard box that glanced the left post in the 37th minute. GGC's defense limited Florida National to two shots over the opening 45 minutes.

Both teams ended the semifinal match with six shot attempts while GGC had six corner kicks.

CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies limited Florida National to just two shots during the first half, but the No. 3-seeded Conquistadors found the back of the net twice over the final 21 minutes of the match. The first goal came when Constantino Higa redirected a shot at the GGC net by Marcos Bakale inside the left goal post. The Florida team got an insurance goal later on an own in the final 10 minutes.
 
Goals
69' – Constantino Higa, FNU (Marcos Bakale)
82' – Own Goal, FNU
 
Inside The Numbers

• Both teams attempted six shots in the contest
• The Grizzlies recorded six corner kicks during the 90 minutes of action
• Six different GGC players registered a shot attempt on Friday

News & Notes

• GGC drops to 9-5-1 on the season, while Florida National improves to 9-3-2 this fall
• Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked No. 15 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll; Florida National was receiving votes in the same poll
• The Grizzlies were the No. 2 seed in the tournament; Florida National was the No. 3 seed

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College will await Monday's selection as a possible at-large team to the NAIA national tournament.