BUENA VISTA, Va. – The Southern Virginia University men's soccer team wrapped up its regular season Saturday night in a drama-filled match against league opponent Pfeiffer.

The teams were deadlocked in the USA South standings coming into the game with the Knights needing a victory to push them through to the conference tournament.

Ammon Lewis got the Knights on the board first with his goal in the 12^th minute, capping off a beautiful counter attack after a Pfeiffer corner. Josh Dubinsky cleared the ball with a powerful header that started the break. Lewis got in front of a Falcon defender to control the 50/50 ball and found teammate Sam Melo near the sideline. Melo played a perfectly weighted ball behind the defense to a streaking James Allen who crossed it on his first touch. Lewis elevated to get a head on the ball and redirected it just past the Pfeiffer goalkeeper for his second goal in as many games.

The lead didn't last long, with the Falcons evening the score line just five minutes later, capitalizing on a costly turnover in the middle of the pitch by the Knights. Being down a goal, Pfeiffer pressed high up the pitch, especially after losing possession in the attacking third. Caleb Livengood got a touch on the ball that would eventually find its way to the feet of Nick Ruscetti who passed the ball to teammate Asuncio Gonzalez. The midfielder showed great skill to control the bouncing ball and turn quickly to evade two defenders and sneak it past Spencer Young in goal.

The 1-1 draw held for the rest of the first half and most of the second. Southern Virginia, needing a win, was forced to get more attackers forward in the final minutes of the game leaving them susceptible at the back. The defense worked hard and Spencer Young was forced to make some clutch saves down the stretch to keep the Knights in contention for postseason play.

The breakthrough finally came in the 84^th minute when Melo played a dangerous ball into the center of the box just outside the six. Dubinsky guided the ball into the back of the net with a perfectly placed header, giving the Knights a 2-1 lead.

Southern Virginia would cling to the one-goal advantage until the final whistle blew. The sideline cleared and the team celebrated together on the field, especially congratulating the two seniors, Melo and Young, who were honored on senior night and will now have at least one more game in a Knight uniform.

"It feels amazing to have all of the hard work over the years paid off with a big win," joyfully exclaimed Young after his final match at Knight Stadium. "I am looking forward to spending more time with my teammates because it is a privilege to play with such awesome guys."

"It was an incredible way to end the regular season," stated Melo. "The coaching staff has instilled in all of us a fire in our hearts and a fight to never give up and that showed today as we left everything out on the field."

"I saw a tall person in the box and aimed my pass towards that target," continued Melo, speaking of the game wining goal. "The cross was perfect and time seemed to slow down while the ball was in the air," added the goal-scorer Dubinsky. "All of the dots connected for us to get the win and it was huge for this team to make it to the playoffs."

Coming off back-to-back victories, the Knights will travel to Fayetteville, North Carolina on Tuesday to take on the Monarchs of Methodist University in the first round of the conference tournament.

For all the most up-to-date information regarding Southern Virginia University men's soccer, please visit knightathletics.com and follow @knightmsoccer on Instagram.