The No. 1 Apaches displayed their offensive firepower as they defeated Louisburg (N.C.) College, 3-1, Friday afternoon in the semifinals of the NJCAA Division I National Tournament at West Windsor, N.J.

By JOE BUIE
Staff Writer
Tyler Morning Telegraph

 

Kyle Nicholls scored in each half and Dom Dwyer added his tournament-leading third goal -- on a 35-yard blast -- to frustrate Louisburg goalkeeper Patrick Murphy, who was under fire the entire match.

"Once we got to the last 10 minutes of the first half and up through (getting a 3-0 lead), we were on him," Clements said of the pressure the Apaches put on Murphy.

Louisburg's Carl Munday prevented the shutout with a goal in the 73rd minute. Tyler (20-0) has outscored opponents 8-2 through two games at the national tournament.

Louisburg (18-3-1), the No. 5 seed, defeated two-time defending national champion Yavapai (Ariz.) 3-1 on Thursday. Tyler began the tournament with a 5-1 victory over Iowa Central.

The Apaches will play either second-seeded Georgia Perimeter or third-seeded Schoolcraft (Mich.) at 1 p.m. Sunday in the national final.

Tyler had a 1-0 lead over Louisburg at halftime.

"The first 20 minutes I thought both teams were very tentative," Clements said. "Then we started getting some opportunities."

Nicholls took advantage of his opportunity and scored with 12 minutes remaining in the first half off an assist from Kareem Freitas, who lofted a ball into the top of the 18-yard box.

The Louisburg keeper charged out to stop the ball but then bobbled it. Nicholls was there to put a foot on it and send it into the back of the net for the goal.

Nicholls scored again, early in the second half, to make it 2-0. A Louisburg header was easily picked up by Tyler goalkeeper Juan Robles, who punted the ball out to a charging Nicholls who dribbled down the field and sent a shot past the keeper.

Dwyer gave the Apaches a three-goal cushion with 27 minutes remaining. The scoring play was set up when Jack Bennett intercepted the ball from Louisburg who then lofted a pass to Dwyer. Dwyer worked back to the middle of the field and fired a 35-yard shot that froze the goalie in his tracks.

Each team was assessed two yellow cards in the match.

According to Clements, the Apaches had 10 shots on goal while Louisburg had only two. The Apaches had seven corner kicks and allowed one.

"They were a very good team," Clements said of Louisburg. "They were disciplined. We were a little stronger and a little faster. We could get to things quicker. We played with a lot of effort and heart."

-- Mercer County Community College contributed information for this report.