Fidler Lifts Reinhardt to AAC Final, Team Also Earns NAIA Bid Same Night

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

Photo Courtesy of Greg Spell/G-RoxPhotos.com

WALESKA, Ga. – Two second-half goals, including the match-winner at 84:34 by Gus Fidler, propelled the Eagles to the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship Final after the hometown team came from behind against Tennessee Wesleyan, 2-1.

Reinhardt improved to 12-2 overall after the exciting postseason win against the Bulldogs – and thanks to Milligan's (Tenn.) 4-2 triumph over St. Andrews (N.C.) in the AAC Semifinals on the other side of the lead bracket – the Eagles punched their ticket to the 2020 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship.

"First, I would like to congratulate the players and staff from TWU on an outstanding season," head coach Joey Johnson said. The margins are always small in AAC Tournament play against top competition, and tonight was no exception. We had to ask ourselves some questions at halftime, so I was pleased to see the response from our players in the second half. It was, in the end, a team-driven effort that the players can learn from moving forward. 

"On a personal note, I was pleased to see senior Gus Fidler with such an important game-winning goal in what is likely our final home match of the year."

The shots were few and far between in the opening half for both clubs after each defense played strong to begin the matchup. The visitors had a little more success on the offensive end to begin the night, and they were able to jump on top, 1-0, after getting a rebound and sliding it into the back of the net in the 24^th minute.

Halftime would come and go as the Eagles still hadn't found the net in the first portion of the second period. The pressure was on both squads, but Reinhardt took the pace to another level – and it paid off – as the Bulldogs were charged with a foul inside the box with 19 minutes left in regulation.

Aaron Whitten took the penalty kick, and was denied, but the ball bounced back and found the foot of Philip Frowis as he slammed the rebound into the net for a 1-1 tie.

Tennessee Wesleyan had a couple minor opportunities to regain the advantage, but none of the shots were supremely on target. With just over five minutes remaining, however, the Eagles seized the lead, 2-1, after Gus Fidler won the contest on an assist from Yosr Frej.

The hosts were outshot by the Bulldogs, 13-10, but Niko Tzevelekos made five saves in 90 minutes of play.

The physical contest – which was set up by the intensity of postseason play – concluded with 26 total fouls.

Individually, nine players registered a shot attempt in the win. Rafael Pais led the way with two (one shot on-goal).

Stay tuned for additional information on match time and coverage of the AAC Championship Final in the coming days.

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For more information on Reinhardt Men's Soccer, please click here.