Box Score Campbellsville University blew past a visiting West Virginia Tech team, 4-0, in the second half of Saturday's Mid-South Conference Tournament men's soccer quarterfinal at Finley Stadium.



Campbellsville attacked heavily throughout the game, collecting 25 shots to West Virginia Tech's three. While scoreless in the first half, CU poured on four goals in the second period to advance to a MSC semifinal match at No. 1 University of Rio Grande on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

"This is the game we've been capable of playing. This was the culmination of hard work," CU head coach Adam Preston said. "We talked about being the best version of ourselves tonight, and we were. With that team playing the way that we're capable of playing, I'm ready for anybody in the country. We're capable of playing with and beating anybody out there if we keep up with this style of play, this effort level and this quality. We're ready."

The Tigers found their first goal in the 50th minute when Casey Clarke was taken down with a hard tackle by Ernesto Ramirez. The play resulted in the first of two cautions for Ramirez and set up a free kick from 40 yards out. With Ramiro Sanchez crashing the goal, CU senior Gustavo Valecillos bounced the shot through the Golden Bears' defense and past a dazed Tech goalkeeper, John Dunn, for the score.

"We've been working on that since about mid-season," Preston said. You crash the goal and swing a ball in, and the keeper has to choose whether to chase the ball or to chase the man. Ramiro made a good run and was a serious threat, so he (Dunn) started to follow Ramiro, and then Gustavo just dummies it. It was a very effective kick that's been in the game for as long as I've been watching. There's nothing special about it, just well executed."

Sanchez gave the Tigers some insurance in the 59th minute with a goal assisted by Pontus Yngve.

Ramirez picked up another yellow card and ejection in the 78th minute, leaving Tech down one player for the remaining time. With a main defender now out of the game, Campbellsville put the game away. Sanchez found Valecillos for a second goal in the 77th minute and Jamie Allen crashed the goal to win a rebound and put back for a goal in the 81st minute.

CU goalkeeper James Clements made two saves in goal for the Tigers while recording the shutout behind a strong defense. But one of the main differences in the game Saturday was in the midfield with Valecillos and senior captain Alex Adams, who was returning from injury.

"Something clicked about two weeks ago after the Indiana Wesleyan game for Gustavo. He realized the work ethic he has to put in. He always wants to do it, but sometimes he gets caught and gets distracted a little bit. He's been having to play without Alex, who's the worker on the team and carries the load. Gustavo's been having to do that, and now you put Alex back on the field with that, and it gives a force to be reckoned with. They've been great."

Campbellsville sits at 15-4 as they travel to Rio Grande, Ohio for the next round of the MSC Tournament.