MATTHEWS, N.C. (Nov. 6, 2026) – Top-seeded Emory & Henry and second-seeded Catawba advanced to the 2026 South Atlantic Conference Men's Soccer Championship final following semifinal victories Friday afternoon at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews, North Carolina.
Emory & Henry earned a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory over sixth-seeded Coker, while Catawba secured a 3-1 win over third-seeded Anderson to set up a championship showdown between the tournament's top two seeds.
The two teams will meet Sunday, November 8, at 1 p.m. for the SAC Championship title.
No. 1 Emory & Henry 2, No. 6 Coker 1 (OT)
Top-seeded Emory & Henry (10-1-6) needed overtime to defeat sixth-seeded Coker (7-6-2), 2-1, in Friday's opening semifinal.
The Wasps controlled much of the opening half, outshooting the Cobras 13-2, but were unable to break through until the closing minutes of the period.
Renzo Andreucetti opened the scoring in the 44th minute, finding the back of the net at 43:29 off an assist from Adel Kessas. The goal was Andreucetti's first of the season and gave Emory & Henry a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
Coker responded with a stronger offensive performance in the second half, recording eight shots after managing just two in the opening period.
The Cobras eventually found the equalizer in the 78th minute when Alexis Abalam scored his eighth goal of the season at the 77:00 mark. Zion Ash provided the assist, leveling the contest at 1-1.
Neither team could find the winning goal during the remainder of regulation, sending the semifinal into overtime.
Just over four minutes into the extra period, Jean Charles Eyidi delivered the game-winner for Emory & Henry at 94:14. Jorge Garcia provided the assist on Eyidi's third goal of the season, sending the Wasps into Sunday's championship final.
Emory & Henry finished with a commanding 21-10 advantage in shots and a 9-6 edge in corner kicks. The Wasps also held 60 percent of the possession.
Andreucetti and Eyidi each finished with a goal, while Kessas and Garcia recorded assists.
The victory sends Emory & Henry into the SAC Championship final, while Coker's postseason run comes to an end.
No. 2 Catawba 3, No. 3 Anderson 1
Second-seeded Catawba (13-1-2) scored once in the first half and twice after the break to earn a 3-1 victory over third-seeded Anderson (10-3-4) in Friday's second semifinal.
The Indians broke through in the 35th minute when Diogo Correia scored an unassisted goal at 34:30. The goal, Correia's second of the season, gave Catawba a 1-0 lead that it carried into halftime.
Catawba doubled its advantage early in the second half when Luis Rodrigues converted a penalty kick at 47:40. The goal was Rodrigues' first of the season and extended the Indians' lead to 2-0.
Anderson quickly responded in the 53rd minute when Luis Munoz scored his seventh goal of the season at 52:05. The unassisted strike cut the deficit to 2-1 and brought the Trojans back within a goal.
However, Catawba answered less than 10 minutes later.
In the 62nd minute, Igor Goncalves scored his first goal of the season at 61:44 off an assist from Correia, restoring the Indians' two-goal advantage and securing the 3-1 victory.
Correia led Catawba with a goal and an assist, while Rodrigues and Goncalves each added a goal.
The Indians held a narrow 12-11 advantage in total shots, while Anderson finished with an 11-2 edge in corner kicks.
Catawba goalkeeper Hector Vara recorded five saves in the victory, while Anderson's Asher Risell finished with two saves.
With the win, Catawba advanced to Sunday's championship match against top-seeded Emory & Henry.
Championship Match Set for Sunday
The top two seeds in the 2026 SAC Men's Soccer Championship will meet Sunday, November 8, at 1 p.m. at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews, North Carolina.
Top-seeded Emory & Henry enters the final following a dramatic overtime victory, while second-seeded Catawba carries momentum from its three-goal semifinal performance.
The winner will be crowned the 2026 SAC Men's Soccer Tournament Champion and earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship.
2026 SAC Men's Soccer Championship Final
Sunday, November 8 – 1:00 p.m.
No. 1 Emory & Henry vs. No. 2 Catawba
Location: Mecklenburg County Sportsplex – Matthews, N.C.
Tickets: https://tickets.thesac.com