A goal in the second minute of overtime was the winning margin as William Carey University (Mississippi) defeated Georgia Gwinnett College in a highly competitive 1-0 match Saturday night in the Second Round of the NAIA men's soccer championship tournament in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Billy Boag scored in the 92nd minute after receiving a right crossing pass from Jamie Wynne.

GGC (11-7-2) and William Carey (14-4-2) battled to a scoreless deadlock following 90 minutes of regulation play. The visitors generated several strong scoring chances during the first half. Freshman Evan Alvarez had a shot on goal following a corner kick from inside the 18-yard box in the 23rd minute. The shot was saved by Crusader goalkeeper Henry Hampshaw.

A few minutes later, GGC freshman Alejandro Contrera headed a right crossing pass just over the crossbar.

Freshman Nic Peranitsch sent a shot just right of the opposing goal 49 seconds into the second half. In the 70th minute, Contrera had a left-footed shot that sailed just right of the goal.

Junior goalkeeper Dagoberto Romero kept William Carey off the scoreboard with consecutive diving stops in the 15th minute. He also stopped a shot off a deflection during the 38th minute. Romero finished the match with six saves.

William Carey outshot the Grizzlies by a 20-6 margin during regulation play, but the Crusaders were limited to just six shot attempts on goal. The first shot of overtime brought the deciding goal of the match.

Contrera and Peranitsch led GGC with each having two shot attempts. The team tallied three corner kicks on Saturday.

Georgia Gwinnett College advanced to the NAIA national tournament for the 10th time in program history.
 
Coach's Corner
"This is not the way we wanted to end our season, but the boys fought and played with tremendous effort tonight. It's a hard way to go out (losing 1-0 in overtime). Looking back, the way we overcame our rough patch of September matches set the stage for the season. The future is so bright with these young guys (starting seven freshmen). We went toe-to-toe against a very good William Carey squad," said Head Coach Steve DeCou.
 
Turning Point
William Carey netted the lone goal of the match after Jamie Wynee delivered a right crossing pass to Billy Boag during the 92nd minute. He converted the shot in front of the goal to send the Crusaders to the NAIA national championship final site.
 
Goals
102' – Billy Boag, WCU (Jamie Wynee)
 
Inside The Numbers

• William Carey held a 21-6 shot advantage, including a 7-2 edge in shots on goal
• GGC and William Carey each were called for offsides once in the contest
• Both teams attempted three corner kicks during Saturday's match
• Freshmen Alejandro Contrera and Nic Peranitsch each tallied two shots for the Grizzlies

News & Notes

• GGC concludes the 2024 season with a 11-7-2 record; William Carey improves to 14-4-2 in 2024
• The Grizzlies received votes in the final regular season NAIA Top 25 poll; William Carey stood No. 12 in the same poll
• The Crusaders lead the series 3-1-2 with Saturday's match marking the second NAIA postseason encounter
• Georgia Gwinnett College made its 10th appearance in the NAIA national tournament