DAVIDSON — Wildcat forward Tobe Ibe scored a go-ahead goal in the final minutes of Saturday’s Atlantic 10 Championship Quarterfinal match between No. 4 Davidson and No. 5 George Mason, lifting the Wildcats to a 2-1 victory at Alumni Soccer Stadium.
The Wildcats (8-5-3) advanced to the semifinals with the victory, where they will travel to face top-seeded Saint Louis at Hermann Field on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 7:00 p.m. CT. The eight-team tournament was reseeded following the quarterfinal round.
Neither team could muster a significant attack early on, playing conservatively and mistake-free. The Wildcats broke through before halftime, however, as junior forward Myles Culley scored on a ricocheted ball towards the net.
Davidson nearly added to its lead early in the second half, jumping on a slow pass from the Patriots. George Mason goalkeeper Jaume Salvado came up with a huge save from point-blank range, keeping the score at 1-0. Salvado made two more strong stops a few minutes later to thwart a pair of Davidson transition opportunities.
George Mason rewarded Salvado for his efforts soon after, scoring a crucial tying goal. Martim Sereno made several terrific dribble moves before delivering an equalizing blast.
Ibe would provide the highlight of the night in the game’s 85th minute, however. With the game tied 1-1, Ibe blasted a low shot into the back of the net – delivering the game-winner Davidson needed.
Both Davidson and George Mason tallied 12 shots each, but Davidson registered eight shots on goal while holding the Patriots to just two on frame.