Nov. 8, 2007

For more information on the men's soccer NCAA Division II Regional, please visit TOURNAMENT CENTRAL

Box Score

CANYON, Texas - In the first round of the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Regional, West Texas A&M men's soccer worked its way back from a one-goal deficit, scoring twice in the second half to beat fourth-seeded Ft. Lewis, 2-1. Senior captain Kenneth Christensen scored the equalizer on a penalty kick and junior Itamar Keinan notched the game-winner with assists from Colin Bjostad and Jacob Fynboe Jensen.

Ft. Lewis' Nick Kirchhof scored in the 30th minute off of a through ball to the left side from Kieran Hall. Kirchhof sent his shot to the far post from 10 yards out to put the Roadrunners up, 1-0.

In the 58th minute, freshman Ben Everson sent the ball into the box to Keinan, who was tackled from behind to draw the penalty kick. Christensen sent his shot to the lower left corner of the net, well past the reach of Ft. Lewis goalkeeper Zane Wells.

Keinan lifted the Buffs to victory with his score in the 70th minute; Jensen sent a corner kick from the right side into the box that Bjostad headed towards the far post past the advancing Wells. Keinan knocked the ball into the open net from one yard out to put WTAMU ahead, 2-1.

Ft. Lewis had a scoring opportunity with just 7:45 left on the clock as the Skyhawks were awarded a free kick just outside the top of the box, but Everson broke up the attempted serve and cleared the ball out of danger.

The Buffs held on to win, advancing to the regional final where they will face long-time rival Midwestern State, who beat Metro State by an 8-1 margin in the first match of the tournament. The final will kick off at 1 p.m. on Nov. 10 at The Pitch.