Neither team had many scoring opportunities in the first half as they combined for just nine total shots with the visiting Rams (0-3) holding a 2-1 edge in shots on goal after the first 45 minutes of action.

Things begin to heat up offensively in the second half although neither team was able to find the back of the net. Just four minutes into the final period, Bluefield’s Nago Mbengue had an open net shot, but MVNU junior defender Steve Armstrong (left) was able to make a kick save in front of the goal on the point-blank attempt to keep the match scoreless.

After just five shots in the first half, the host Cougars (2-2), who entered the season ranked No. 4 in the NAIA poll, took 10 shots in the second half - five of which were on goal, while the Rams took six shots with two being on goal.

With the match looking like it might head into overtime to determine a winner, Armstrong once again came up with a big play as he chipped a pass over the last line of the Bluefield defense to Allen who headed it into the net with 40.1 seconds left on the clock to put MVNU on top 1-0. The goal was Allen’s second of the season and would end up being his second straight game-winning goal as the Cougars ran off the rest of the time to earn a berth in the championship match of the tournament.

“Chris Allen’s goal late in the match was very encouraging,” said MVNU coach Paul Furey. “It tells us that he is showing signs that he is the guy who can do it for us up front and produce big goals. Steve gave us a great service late in the match. For a guy who played all 90 minutes, to still be able to get forward and find Chris like that is not only a sign of fitness but also his technical ability. I was also proud of our back line for not allowing a goal for the second straight match. Alex did a very good job for us in goal as he has now gone 180 minutes without allowing a goal.”

MVNU senior goalkeeper Alex Stout notched his second straight shutout and the 28th of his illustrious career as he posted three saves. Meanwhile, Jeff Field stopped five shots on goal for the Rams. The Cougars held a 15-10 edge in total shots, a 6-4 margin in shots on goal, and a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.

In Friday’s other first round match, Spring Arbor (Mich.) University edged Campbellsville (Ky.) University 1-0 on a goal by Francesco Paese in the 38th minute as he beat three defenders and ripped a shot inside the far post.  (Boxscore)  Spring Arbor will advance to the championship versus MVNU at 3:00 p.m., while Campbellsville and Bluefield will play in the consolation match at 1:00 p.m.

“From a tournament perspective, this may have been the best first round of play in the history of the First-Knox Cougar Invitational,” said Furey. “Two 1-0 matches really was very exciting and we had four teams playing extremely hard with a lot of passion and desire to win.”

“We are delighted to be in the finals again,” Furey continued. “It was a very nice win for us beating a very inspired Bluefield team who came ready to play and played hard and really made us earn this victory today.”

“Tomorrow is going to be another big challenge for us,” concluded Furey. “(Spring Arbor) played really well today. We need to find a little bit more of our groove in order for us to win the championship tomorrow.”