Firebirds Suffer Heartbreaking Defeat to Molloy College in ECC Semi Finals

ROCKVILLE, N.Y.- After a tough battle to a scoreless draw, the University of the District of Columbia's men's soccer team suffered a heartbreaking loss, falling 4-5 in penalty kicks to Molloy College in the ECC Semifinals, Wednesday night at the John A. Darcy Field. No. 2 seeded UDC fell to an overall record of 8-5-4, and No.3 seeded Molloy improved to 9-6-4 to advance to the ECC finals to face off against the No.1 seeded team St Thomas Aquinas College.

"I am very proud of the way the boys played tonight, and indeed throughout the whole season," said Head Coach Matthew Thompson. "We came up short tonight, but I thought the performance was the best this season and maybe since 2017 when we made the NCAA Tournament."

The Firebirds outshot the Lions 18-6 with five different Firebirds getting a total of eight shots on goal and UDC getting the edge on corner kicks 7-4.

"We dominated the game from start to finish, credit to Molloy and their defense as they played a really good game too. We just couldn't find that one guilt-edged chance to score."

After two OTs finished in a scoreless draw, the game came down to penalty kicks, with the first team to five goals being declared the winner. After eight intense heart-stopping rounds, the Firebirds would walk away heartbroken as the Lions walked away with a bid into the ECC tournament finals.

"It is hard to swallow right now, we have a tight-knit group, and they are devastated, but we will keep them together and continue to build that strong bond that you need to improve and move on."

UDC finished the season as the #2 seed in the ECC (the highest in program history), to make the playoffs for the second time in program history. After a rough 0-4 start to the season, the Firebirds went 11 games unbeaten, before taking their first conference loss of the season to Roberts Wesleyan in their regular-season finale. They also went undefeated at home with a 5-0-2 record.

"Congratulations to our seniors that played their last game, no one wants to leave on that kind of note, but they can leave with their heads held high after a wonderful season. They should be proud of their efforts and walk away being proud of their accomplishments. Congratulations to Molloy and we wish them all the best as they move forward," -Coach Thompson.