Carson-Newman Defeats Newberry to Win SAC Regular Season Title
Nov. 1, 2008
JEFFERSON CITY, TENN. - Carson-Newman outplayed Newberry College in a South Atlantic Conference match-up winning 2-0. The Eagles improve to 11-3-2, 6-1-1 in the SAC, sharing the SAC regular season title. Newberry falls to 9-6-1, 5-2-1 in conference play. The first goal came from junior Omar Cooke (Roanoke, Va.) in the end of the first half when he snuck the ball past Newberry keeper James Woods on a short cross from Gus Jimenez (Alpharetta, Ga.). Cooke's goal made the half time score 1-0 in favor of the Eagles. The second half was a battle between the two teams. The half remained scoreless until the last minute of the game when Cooke found the back of the net. Assisted by Richard Marquetty (New York, N.Y.), Cooke drove to the goal and slid the ball past the Newberry keeper. The Eagles outshot Newberry 9 to 5. The conference match-up was a battle, each team tallying 14 fouls. "Perhaps I will enjoy this championship the most for many reasons," added head coach Allen Vital, "I have to give credit to Newberry, they have athleticism and played with a lot of pressure. We are so fortunate to have come ahead in the game. It was a great championship game and a great way to end the regular season." The Carson-Newman soccer teams honored the memory of Roland File Saturday evening with the dedication of the new field lighting prior to the regular-season finale doubleheader with South Atlantic Conference foe Newberry.
Roland was a member of the men's soccer team during the 2006-07 season before a tragic car accident took his life in February. His parents, Donna and Steve File, were in attendance Saturday as a plaque memorializing Roland was unveiled at the base of one of the four tower lights that were installed earlier this year.
The Files started the funding campaign for the lighting system soon after their son's death. Carson-Newman had never been able to host a night soccer game prior to this season, due to the absence of lights at McCown soccer field, and it was a well-know wish of Roland's to see the addition during his career. "I am speechless. It is an amazing day for us," continued Vital, "You think about the setup for today and it was too good to be true. We are so blessed to have a win to cap off the day." The Eagles will be back in action next week for the South Atlantic Conference Tournament. Their first match will be held on McCown Field and the time will be determined Sunday afternoon.
