Georgia Gwinnett College Athletics

Working Overtime for A.I.I. Title

Georgia Gwinnett College junior Krishna Clarke's goal four minutes into overtime propelled the top-seeded Grizzlies to a dramatic 2-1 victory against Bellevue University (Neb.) and the 2019 Association of Independent Institutions men's soccer championship Saturday at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

The Grizzlies (12-3-3) captured their fifth A.I.I. title in seven seasons and won back-to-back championships for the second time in program history. GGC also was champions in the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

Clarke dribbled along the edge of the 18-yard box in front of Bellevue's goal before drilling a shot inside the left goal post for the game-winning tally.

Earlier, a goal off a 25-yard free kick by junior Alfredo Rivera tied the match 1-1 in the 77th minute. The shot from the middle of the pitch curved into the upper left corner of the goal.

Third-seeded Bellevue (8-10-2) struck first in the 53rd minute off a free kick of its own. Toby Millward sent a free kick into the box, where Inaki Aldao headed the ball inside the left post to give the Bruins the 1-0 advantage.

GGC outshot Bellevue 11-3 in the first half and held an 18-10 advantage for the 94 minutes of action.

Junior goalkeeper Matija Gligorovic, the A.I.I. Goalkeeper of the Year, made four saves for the Grizzlies, including two during the first half to keep the match scoreless.



Sophomore defender Gianmaria Fiore earned the 2019 A.I.I. Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. He scored on a penalty kick during GGC's semifinal win over Lincoln College (Ill.) on Friday. Other Grizzlies on the all-tournament team were juniors Toni Tiente, Clarke, Gligorovic and Rivera.