HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Yaya Jawneh scored with 59 seconds remaining in double overtime to give No. 19 Wallace State a 2-1 victory over Calhoun in the ACCC Conference Championship at the Spencer Soccer Complex.
The Lions improved to 14-1-1 and advanced to the district tournament, which begins next Friday and will be hosted by the Region 10 winner.
Wallace State controlled possession throughout the first half and outshot the Warhawks 5-0, but the teams reached halftime tied 0-0.
The Lions continued applying pressure after the break before Juan Gazga scored off an assist from Elijah Wong in the 65th minute for a 1-0 lead. Calhoun answered in the 75th minute to pull even.
Wallace State pressed for another goal over the final 15 minutes of regulation but could not break the tie. A scoreless first overtime sent the championship into a second 10-minute period, where Jawneh delivered the deciding goal in the final minute.
“All credit goes to the guys,” Wallace State Head Coach James Fee said. “They were unbelievable from beginning to end today.”
Fee credited his players for following through on the goals they discussed leading into the championship.
“We talked about this week what we wanted to accomplish as a group and what we were willing to sacrifice to do it, and they got it done today,” Fee said.
Gazga’s performance drew particular praise from Fee, who pointed to the captain’s response as the match progressed.
“I think he started slow, but he recognized his team needed him, and he was fantastic by the end,” Fee said. “He scored an unbelievable goal.”
After Calhoun’s equalizer, the Lions had to regroup and find another breakthrough.
“This group had to respond, and they did that,” Fee said. “They stood up to the challenge, and eventually, we got our goal that we needed to go celebrate.”
Fee also credited the Warhawks for their defensive performance and the problems they created in transition.
“They were fantastic today defensively,” Fee said. “They definitely caused us a lot of problems going the other way in transition moments.”
Wallace State ultimately found the finish it needed to secure the championship and extend its postseason.
“They made us earn it today, so we’re excited,” Fee said.
