Box Score CHARLOTTE, N.C. – It was conference tournament time at Dickson Field tonight as the South Atlantic Conference Regular Season Champion Queens University of Charlotte Royals shut out Catawba 2-0 in the quarterfinal round of the 2013 Food Lion SAC Men's Soccer Championships.
 
It only took five minutes for the home team to post a number on the scoreboard. Thiago Andrade made a screaming run down the right side of the field and was able to slot in a cross to Erick Suarez, who poked it past keeper Frankie Cardelle.
 
The two teams maintained a frantic pace the entire game. Neither team was able to put the ball in the back of the net for the rest of the half, but plenty of chances arose.
 
The first half was an even affair other than the first goal from Suarez. Queens out-shot Catawba 9-7 and had four corners to the Indians two. There were a few uneasy moments at the back for the Royals, but center backs Gregorio Pestana and Jonathan Onyeaka were always there to clean up any loose ends.
 
Catawba would have gone in to the half encouraged by their play after the initial goal. The Indians came out in a frenzy, matching the home team shot for shot.
 
The play began to get physical in the 57th minute, with both Thiago Andrade and Catawba's Ian Orr both receiving yellow cards. Four cards, all yellow, were handed out in the second half as the physical nature of a conference tournament game was turned up a notch.
 
Moments later, in the 59th minute, Suarez took a beautiful pass into the 18 yard box. Attempting several moves to try and get closer to the goal, he realized his best bet would be to dribble away from the goal and reset his attacking options or pass the ball off. Surprisingly, as Suarez took a touch away from the goal in order to reset, he was slide tackled down in an illegal manner.
 
A penalty was called and Andrade stepped up to take it. Playing in his final home game as a Queens student, Andrade missed the penalty initially but was able to put in the rebound after Cardelle bobbled the save.
 
A second goal would be all that was required in the quarterfinal matchup between the Royals and the Indians. But with 30 minutes remaining, the physical play was close to getting out of hand but the referee was able to settle the game down with about fifteen minutes remaining.
 
Catawba would muster only a few opportunities in the second half, while Queens would rue their multiple chances to put the game away. Several passes aimed at Yannick Fischbach in dangerous territory were sent astray, but Queens would be happy taking the victory on head coach Oliver Carias' birthday.
 
Friday marks the semifinals of the 2013 Food Lion SAC Soccer Championship. Queens will take on the Railsplitters from Lincoln Memorial. Earlier in the season, the Royals took a 2-0 result from LMU on the road. The game will start at 4 p.m. at the Manchester Meadows Sports Complex in Rock Hill, S.C.