LEXINGTON, Va. --- Sophomore midfielder Grant McCarty (Dallas, Texas/Parish Episcopal) scored in the 86th minute to push the top-ranked Washington and Lee men's soccer team past Covenant, 2-1, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday evening.
 
With the score tied at one goal per side for a majority of the second half, the Generals (16-1-2) broke through for the final lead with 4:33 left in regulation. McCarty played a pass up the right side to first-year defender PJ Ryan (Morristown, N.J./West Morris Mendham) where Ryan took on a Covenant (12-4-4) defender. Ryan slid and got to his feet quickly to maintain possession, and he found McCarty cutting in the middle of the box. McCarty controlled the ball and finished inside the left post from inside the six for the go-ahead score.
 
After the first half went scoreless, the Generals took an initial 1-0 lead in the 54th minute, courtesy of sophomore forward Adrian Zimmerman's (San Diego, Calif./Cathedral Catholic) fifth goal in the last two games. Junior midfielder Michael Kutsanzira (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe/Putnam Science Academy (Conn.)) made a pass to Zimmerman through a pair of Scot defenders, as Zimmerman then finished with his left foot.
 
The Scots tied the game quickly, when senior forward Jake Major got a breakaway opportunity in the 60th minute, made his way around W&L junior keeper Rye McMillen (Fairfax, Va./The Heights School) beyond the 18, and scored the equalizer.
 
McCarty's goal was his second of the season, and he took two on-target shots in the game. Kutsanzira extended his program record with his 12th assist on Zimmerman's goal and he led the offense with five shots on the night. Zimmerman finished with three shots and junior midfielder Samuel Bass (Charlotte, N.C./Myers Park) shot four times.
 
McMillen (6-1-1) earned the win after he played the second half and allowed one goal with one save. First-year Matt Semcesen (Waxhaw, N.C./Marvin Ridge) played the first half and made one save.
 
For the Scots, Major led the way with three shots, while senior forward Mercer Stout assisted on the goal and also got two shots off in the game. Senior goalkeeper Henry Hooks (12-4-4) played all 90 minutes and made six saves, including multiple diving stops.
 
W&L controlled the offensive pace in the first half with a 10-2 shot advantage and went on to finish with a 21-8 edge in attempts, including 8-3 in shots on goal. Corner kicks also favored the Blue and White, 9-1.
 
The Generals will return to the pitch in the Round of 16 next weekend at a site and date to be determined. This will be the Generals' second straight appearance in the Round of 16, and they will face the winner of the Christopher Newport/Rowan Round of 32 contest.