YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Young Harris College got a hat trick from Ilija Ilic as the Mountain Lions rallied from an early deficit to record a 3-1 victory over Limestone College at the YHC Soccer and Lacrosse Field Friday (Nov. 21) evening in the third round of the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer National Championship.
The Mountain Lions, the top seed from the Southeast Region and ranked No. 2 in the NSCAA NCAA Division II Top 25 poll, improved to 19-0-1 while the Saints, the No. 2 seed out of the Southeast and ranked No. 9 nationally, ended their season at 16-3-1. Young Harris advances to Sunday's (Nov. 23) 1 p.m. quarterfinal match against Lynn University, the No. 1 seed out of the South and ranked No. 3 nationally. Lynn defeated Saint Leo University 3-0 earlier in the day.
Limestone took a 1-0 lead at the 10:02 mark as Ismael Noumansana scored his first goal of the year on a counter attack after Sam Orritt sent a through ball into the box.
"I feel Limestone were our toughest opponents to date," said Young Harris head coach Mark McKeever. "They created many chances and were a very well organized and well coached team."
Ilic, who leads NCAA Division II in goals with 27, tied the match at 1 10 minutes later when his free kick from just outside the box deflected off the wall and just inside the far post. Ilic gave the Mountain Lions a 2-1 lead right before halftime as his shot through the right side couldn't be cleared by the Limestone defense.
Limestone had a great chance to tie the match with 32 minutes remaining, but Noumansana took a shot from 40 yards out at an open net after Young Harris goalkeeper Jordan Bradshaw came out of his box, but it sailed left of the net.
Ilic, who moved to fifth in the Peach Belt Conference in single-season scoring, completed his fifth hat trick of 2014 as he took a pass from Khurram Shazad at the top of the box and knocked it in from six yards out into the left corner of the net.
"I'm proud of the character we showed to come from behind against a quality side and some of the passing combinations we provided in the second half was of the highest standard," said McKeever. " We have set ourselves up for a fantastic quarterfinal against an exceptional Lynn team and everyone is looking forward to the challenge on Sunday. Thanks again to everyone for the amazing support we have had!"
Young Harris held a 15-11 advantage in shots and a 5-4 lead in corner kicks. Bradshaw stopped five shots for the Mountain Lions while Tom Godfrey had four for the Saints.
