DALLAS, Texas – Using a strong second half, the Charlotte 49ers defeated Florida Atlantic 3-1 to advance to the 2023 American Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Championship final.
Charlotte (11-3-1) advances to the final with the win and will face the winner of No. 4 Memphis and No. 1 SMU on Sunday, November 12 at 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT on ESPN+. The Owls move to 6-8-3 on the season.
Defenses held strong in the first half, until the 33rd minute when a penalty in the box awarded Charlotte a penalty kick. Florida Atlantic goalkeeper Rotem Fadida got on a hand on Jonathan Nyandjo’s shot, but the ball spun off his hand into the goal to put the 49ers up 1-0.
The Owls opened up the second half with a goal in the 49th minute. Sebastian Zettl sent a corner kick, finding Arthur Widiez back heel to put the ball in the back of the net, tying the match at one.
The 49ers answered a minute later as Brigham Larsen took a deflected shot from Daniel Moore and sent it home for the response and the game-winner. The 49ers would add one in the final eleven seconds of the match off as Riyon Tori scored off a cross.
Charlotte goalkeeper Leo Stritter finished with one save in the match as the 49ers defense held the Owls to just two shots on goal.
2023 American Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Championship Schedule
First round at campus sites
Semifinals and final at home site of the No. 1 seed SMU
(all times Eastern)
First Round – Sunday, November 5
Game 1 – No. 6 Florida Atlantic 1, No. 3 FIU 0
Game 2 – No. 4 Memphis 3, No. 5 South Florida 2
Semifinals – Thursday, November 9
Game 3 – No. 2 Charlotte 3, No. 6 Florida Atlantic 1
Game 4 – No. 4 Memphis at No. 1 SMU | 8 P.M. ET | ESPN+
Championship Final – Sunday, November 12
Game 5 – No. 2 Charlotte vs Game 4 Winner | 2 P.M. ET | ESPN+
