LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – 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.

 

Coach’s Corner

“We hit them (Bellevue) with a long ball to Krishna’s feet. He made a nice move inside, turned the defender a few times, took the shot and saw everybody’s reaction. We were very good on the ball today. It was a fitting ending to a strong performance,” said Head Coach Steve DeCou.

 

Turning Point

The Grizzlies trailed 1-0 with just over 13 minutes remaining in regulation time. That’s when they tied the match as junior Alfredo Rivera drilled a free kick into the upper left corner of Bellevue’s goal from 25 yards away. The tournament hosts forced overtime and eventually won the A.I.I. title on junior Krishna Clarke’s goal in the 94th minute.

 

Goals

53’ – Inaki Aldao, BU (Toby Millward)

77’ – Alfredo Rivera, GGC (unassisted)

94’ – Krishna Clarke, GGC (unassisted)

 

Inside The Numbers

  • GGC outshot Bellevue by a 18-10 margin, including an 11-3 edge during the first half
  • The Grizzlies recorded five corner kicks, while Bellevue attempted four corner kicks
  • Juniors Krishna Clarke and Marouane Zine each had four shot attempts for the Grizzlies
  • Georgia Gwinnett won its fifth conference title

 

News & Notes

  • GGC improves to 12-3-3 on the season, while Bellevue ends its 2019 season with a 8-10-2 record
  • Georgia Gwinnett College was the top seed in the four-team postseason event; Bellevue was the No. 3 seed in the tournament
  • The Grizzlies are ranked No. 20 in the final regular season NAIA Top 25 poll
  • Saturday’s championship match was a rematch of the 2018 A.I.I. title contest, once again won by GGC 2-1
  • Georgia Gwinnett is 4-0-4 over the last two seasons in overtime matches

 

Up Next

Georgia Gwinnett College will find out its opponent and site location for the NAIA Opening Round on Monday, Nov. 18.