BROWNS SUMMIT, N.C. – The Barton men's soccer team (6-7-5) saw its season come to an end with a 3-2 double overtime setback to Chowan (8-4-4) Friday afternoon in the semifinals of the 2023 Conference Carolinas Championship at MacPherson Stadium at Bryan Park.
Chowan moves to the finals on Sunday and will take on fifth-seeded Converse (12-4-3) beginning at 1:00 p.m. The Valkyries upended top-seeded Francis Marion (7-4-6), 4-1, in their semifinal match. Barton was the sixth seed in the tournament while Chowan is seeded second.
The Hawks' Junior Smith (Manchester, ENGLAND) scored the match winner with just over two minutes left in the second overtime to lift Chowan to the win. Smith scored at the near post off a cross from Sam Deacon (Bradford, ENGLAND), who was credited with the assist.
Barton junior forward
Gabriel Slemer Lopes (Sao Paulo, BRAZIL) scored on a penalty kick and graduate student midfielder
Immanuel Akpeme (Richmond, Va.) added a goal for the Bulldogs, who held leads of 1-0 and 2-1 but couldn't keep the advantage. Slemer Lopes finished the season with a team-leading six goals.
Chowan, which held a 18-17 edge in shots taken, forced overtime with a goal in the 87th minute when Smith found Tylar Elliott (Greensboro, N.C.) in the box for a goal to tie the contest at two. Smith was credited with the assist.
In goal, Chowan's Chase Jansen (Palm Bay, Fla.) made six saves to earn the victory while Barton sophomore goalkeeper
Steingrimur Gunnarsson (Grenivek, ICELAND) suffered the loss despite stopping eight shots on the day.
