Hanover, IN - The Panthers hosted and battled with the Pioneers of Transylvania University today in what went on to be an HCAC semi-finals instant-classic.

In Hanover's regular season match-up with the Pioneers at Transy, the only goal of the contest was a PK scored by Hanover, but it was ultimately called back. That game ended in a tie, leaving plenty of drama for this conference semi-finals match-up.

The match began slow and methodical, as each team was patient in their approach, careful not to over-exert themselves too early. The whole first half was very closely contested, and nearly even in most stat categories. Both teams were able to get 3 shots off as well as bury one in the back of the net.

The first goal of the afternoon came from the Pios, when sophomore McKay Wheatley found teammate and senior Henry Roetker for a goal around the twenty-three minute mark. Hanover, within six minutes, was able to tie it up when junior forward Omar Dizdar drilled his PK attempt into the top left of the net, after a foul on Transylvania inside the box.

In the final fifteen minutes of the first period, both teams played slightly more physical and with bit more pace as neither side wanted to be tied after forty-five minutes of action. Ultimately the first-half ended in a stalemate at 1-1, leaving plenty of room for excitement in the second period.

Much like the opening period, the second period of play got off to a very mild and evenly-paced start, almost as if both teams were focused more on not giving a lead rather than taking the lead. The Panthers and the Pioneers shared several possession exchanges in between the goal boxes all game long, and had several clears that involved just booting the ball downfield.

After thirty-minutes of back-and-forth and both defenses showcasing their very best efforts, HC finally broke through the Transylvania defensive line and ended the second-half scoring drought. The sophomore midfielder Louan Seveno took the lead for the Panthers at 2-1, coming off a two-man assist from Mateus Araujo and Xander Ochsner at the eighty-three minute mark.

The next six-minutes were the most suspenseful yet as Transy w played with the most intensity we'd seen yet and Hanover was doing all they could to fend off the late attack and hang on to their one-goal lead.

Then, with just forty-seconds left in regulation, Transylvania made the most of a crossing ball, scoring a bouncing-header near the right post as Jackson Holt and Henry Roetker assisted Jake Renneker.

Hanover, not wavering under the pressure of letting in a late goal, remained poised and stayed focused on the task at hand - winning. Immediately pressing an attack from the kick-off, the Panthers scrapped for possession in and near the Pioneers goal box. Then, just as time was sure to expire in regulation, junior forward Omar Dizdar gains control of the ball and touches a pass to fifth-year defender Clayton Anderson who hammered home the game-winning goal with four seconds left on the clock.

The Panthers went on to win 3-2 in regulation, advancing to the conference finals next week. Hanover will play the winner of Rose-Hulman and Anderson, which wil also decide the time and location of the championship game.