SEARCY, Ark.—It took a week and a half and a last-minute venue change, but the Christian Brothers University Bucs clinched the No. 2 seed in this weekend's Gulf South Conference Tournament with a 5-1 win at Harding Tuesday night.
In a game that was moved to Searcy, Ark., six hours before kickoff due to the threat of flooding at Signaigo Field, the Bucs (8-8-1, 3-2 GSC) needed a win to clinch the No. 2 seed or a tie or two goals in defeat to clinch the No. 3 seed. They struck first in the 30th minute as
Yannick Skull (Adelaide, Australia/Woodcroft College) scored on a free kick.
The Bucs wasted little time punching their ticket to Pensacola after the intermission. Just over three minutes after the resumption of play,
David Skull (Adelaide, Australia/Woodcroft College) scored on the rebound of an
Alex Bermel (Memphis, Tenn./White Station HS) shot, tapping in the clincher, which would also prove to be the game-winner.
Ebai Ayuk (Atlanta, Ga./East Paulding HS) tacked on goals in the 62nd and 67th minutes to stretch the lead to 4-0. After Harding's Victor Moya scored in the 75th minute,
Ethan Himel (Houma, La./Vanderbilt Catholic HS) scored in the 78th minute to set the final margin.
For the game, the Bucs out-shot Harding (2-14, 1-4) 19-4, including a 9-2 lead in shots on goal.
The Bucs advance to the Gulf South Conference Tournament semifinals Friday at 4:30 p.m., where they will face Ouachita Baptist at Brosnaham Park in Pensacola, Fla. The finals are set for 1 p.m. Sunday.