Top-seeded Georgia Gwinnett College scored twice in the second half to defeat No. 4 seed Thomas University (Georgia) 3-1 in Friday's first semifinal match of the 2020-21 Association of Independent Institutions Men's Soccer Championship Tournament at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

The Grizzlies, 10-0-2 and ranked No. 10 in the NAIA Top 25 poll, will face No. 2 seed Bellevue University (Nebraska) on Saturday, April 10, at 4 p.m. for the conference title. The No. 15-ranked Bruins earned a challenging 2-1 overtime win against No. 3 seed Viterbo University (Wisconsin) in Friday's other semifinal.

Turning up the pressure in the second half, GGC eventually took a 2-1 lead in the 58th minute on a goal from freshman Camilo Santiago after receiving a pass from senior Krishna Clarke.

Another freshman, Jack Brown, added an insurance goal in the 75th minute.

The tournament hosts outshot the Night Hawks by a commanding 12-1 margin in the second half and tallied 20 shots for the match.

GGC took a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute on a goal from freshman Jason Strambu, his fifth of the season. The goal came off a corner kick opportunity.

Thomas (3-5-2) squared the match in the 33rd minute when Jason Piurowski converted a corner kick.

The Grizzlies are the two-time defending A.I.I. tournament champions and have captured five league titles since 2013.
  The Grizzlies scored early in each half, but it was the second-half tally that gave the tournament hosts the lead for good. Freshman Camilo Santiago scored in the 57th minute after receiving a pass from senior Krishna Clarke. GGC added an insurance goal with 15 minutes left in the match to advance to Saturday's championship match.
  13' – Jason Strambu, GGC (Aleksandar Racanovic, Alfredo Rivera)
33' – Jason Piurowski, TU (Salvador Marin, Joao Pedro Vinha)
58' – Camilo Santiago, GGC (Krishna Clarke, Karim Tmimi)
75' – Jack Brown, GGC (Gianmaria Fiore, Matija Gligorovic)
 

• The Grizzlies outshot Thomas by a 20-4 margin, including a 12-1 advantage during the second half
• GGC recorded six of its nine corner kicks in the second half
• Freshman Jason Strambu tallied six shots in the contest
• Twelve of GGC's 20 shots were on goal

• GGC improves to 10-0-2 during the 2020-21 season, while Thomas ends the season with a 3-5-2 record
• Georgia Gwinnett College is ranked No. 10 in the NAIA Top 25 poll
• The Grizzlies lead the series 7-3 and won all three meetings this season
• GGC is the top seed in the 2020-21 A.I.I. Soccer Championship

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host No. 2 seed Bellevue University (Nebraska) in the 2020-21 Association of Independent Institutions championship match on Saturday, April 10, from the Grizzly Soccer Complex, starting at 4 p.m.