Hanover, IN - The Hanover College men's soccer team hosted the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Fightin' Engineers in the semi-final round of the HCAC tournament. HC finished the regular season with an overall record of 13-4-2 and 8-1 in the HCAC, including a 2-0 win at home against RHI early in the season.

The Panthers defeated Rose in regulation today, 2-1, after conceding the first goal of the game in the opening minute - RHI had a throw in from their attack third, and with a huge throw into the box they were able to take a one-nil lead over the Panthers off a head just forty-seven seconds in.

Hanover responded with poise, remaining persistent in their efforts to rebuttal, but not letting the moment fluster them and speed them up into making unforced errors.

Both sides held the other from getting off any clean looks at a shot attempt as only three were recorded in the first-half. The one that mattered most came in the twenty-eighth minute when sophomore midfielder Cole Hubert played a perfect ball into the air for senior forward Patricio Campos to head it home, tying the game at one-all.

The first-half ended in a stalemate as both teams closed the half with steadfast defensive efforts, not willing to give an inch in any direction.

In the second-half the Panthers played with a new edge, feeling the relief of the break while also still riding the high of the momentum sparked by their game-tying goal in the first-half. Then, a critical moment in the defensive box of the Fightin' Engineers would prove to be fatal for RHI - a hand-ball that lead to a PK attempt for Hanover.

It was inevitably none other than senior forward Patricio Campos who took and buried the penalty kick, giving the Panthers a 2-1 lead in the sixty-eighth minute, with  just over twenty-two to play.

Senior goalkeeper Rodrigo Gutierrez Olvera Gonzalez also came up huge in the second-half with two saves for the Panthers, and it was Gonzlaez along side senior defender McLain Barber and junior defender Andrew Beck for all ninety minutes of action defending the back line.

Hanover maintained their one goal lead through the remainder of regulation and defeated Rose 2-1, advancing to the HCAC Championship on Saturday. HC is set to face Transylvania Univervsity, Transy will host in Lexington. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00PM EST.