Heartbreaking loss ends NCAA tourney for Marlins

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. --- NCAA tournament competition came to a heartbreaking close Thursday for the Virginia Wesleyan College Marlins in a 4-3 overtime loss to the host North Carolina Wesleyan College Bishops.

NCWC, the 2008 USA South Athletic Conference champion, averted elimination in regulation play when Edgar Zaldivar ripped a desperation shot from about 40 yards out on the left to tie the game at 3-all with 8.8 seconds on the clock.  That produced the overtime where the Bishops (16-3-1) won it when a soft shot by Owen White from right to left trickled across the mouth of the goal, hit the far left post and bounced in with 5:31 on the clock.

The Bishops' final two goals capped a late rally for the host team as Virginia Wesleyan (11-7-2) charged in front 3-1 when Clay Price scored his second goal of the contest in the 75th minute.  But, just when matters seemed bleak for the host team, Danny Persson came through to keep the Bishops alive, scoring only 18 seconds after the VWC goal to cut the Marlins' lead to 3-2.

Virginia Wesleyan's defense held up through a consistent attack on the goal in the remaining minutes, blocking, intercepting, or diverting passes to keep the Bishops out of the goal.  As the field clock started to tick off the final 20 seconds, the Bishops pushed the ball up field and tried to find an opening in a hawking Marlin defense. With lanes closed off, Zaldivar launched his shot-on-the-run that sailed into the upper right corner of the net to prevent the VWC win and avert the NCWC loss.

Virginia Wesleyan never trailed in the game prior to the overtime goal, as the Marlins took the 1-0 lead in the first half in the 26th minute when Price scored off a Brandon Massie corner kick.  NCWC produced 14 shots in the half, but was frustrated by the alert effort of VWC rookie goalie Jay Coble, who came up with seven saves.

North Carolina Wesleyan tied the game in the 49th minute when Chris Helms scored off a cross from White.  But, VWC came back quickly as Adam Stringer caught the NCWC goalie out of position on the left side and fired the ball into the net to give the Marlins a 2-1 edge.  The Marlins protected that lead with a denying defensive effort and tacked on the Price goal for the 3-1 lead.

North Carolina Wesleyan finished with a 22-15 advantage in shots, while VWC held a 6-5 edge in corner kicks.  Coble recorded nine saves and NCWC goalie Alberto Faisca finished with six.

This release is courtesy of the Virginia Wesleyan College sports information department.