PEMBROKE – Visiting Lander used a double-overtime goal in the 103rd minute from Zach Acree to score the game's only goal as the Bearcats seized the 1-0 Peach Belt Conference victory over UNCP at Varsity Grounds on Saturday afternoon. 

Acree shot from the left side of the field inside the box and into an open goal to register his fourth goal of the season. Michael Johansson grabbed the assist on the pass from the right side. Lander (8-6-2, 5-2-1 PBC) competed against an assertive UNCP (10-4-2, 3-3-2) team as the Braves collected two yellow cards and 18 fouls throughout the match.

The result handed UNCP the either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed in next week's PBC Tournament, while Lander secures the No. 3 spot in postseason play.  The final seeding will be decided following today's matchup.

The Braves and Bearcats played a scoreless and physical first half as the teams combined for 14 fouls with UNCP committing nine. Lander led in shots going into halftime with seven while the Black and Gold had three. 

The second half proved to be more aggressive as the Braves added seven fouls, while the Bearcats added nine shots to lead the Braves in shots 16-7. The game continued into overtime as both squads fought for the essential victory but the Bearcats were too much for the Braves.

In the match that saw three seniors honored prior to kickoff, the Black and Gold finished the game with 12 shots and were led by Sam Miles with three, while Michael Davis, Alex Antonescu and Matt MacDougall each added two. The Bearcats tallied 19 shots as Fred Parker and Clement Dauchy totaled five shots apiece, while Acree posted four.

UNCP goalkeeper Ryan Hanson collected five saves in his 102:50 between the pipes, while Lander netminder Matthew Atkinson tallied five saves not including the one team save by the Bearcats.

The Braves will either make the trek to face Lander in Greenwood, S.C. or North Georgia (9-6-1, 5-3-0) in Dahlonega, Ga., on Tuesday to battle either the third or fourth seed in the conference. Game time has not been set.