Nov. 4, 2007

Box Score

WILDER, Ky - Lined up 15 yards away just left of center, freshman Jose Ibarra took a centering pass and shot it over the nation's best defense and into the top right corner of the net, sending No. 15 Lewis to a thrilling 1-0 upset win over No. 1 Northern Kentucky, Sunday afternoon in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship game.

The Flyers (17-4), winners of 10 consecutive games, won their eighth GLVC title in program history and first since the 2003 season. Northern Kentucky (20-1) fell for the first time since Nov. 12, 2006 and was held without a goal for the first time since Oct. 27 of last season.

Ibarra's game-winning score came after 61 minutes of scoreless soccer on free kick play deep in Norse territory. Sophomore Kipp Cartwright (Park Forest, Ill./Marian Catholic)'s initial kick sailed long, but sophomore Mark Switalski corralled it and sent it back in to junior Craig McIntosh who fed Ibarra. The midfielder lobbed it over the reach of Norse goalkeeper Michael Lavric for his third goal of the season at 61:10.

The Flyers' defense did the rest, allowing only three shots - none on goal - following the score. Junior goalkeeper Anthony Szymel made three saves in posting his second consecutive and sixth overall shutout.

The game was just as physical as the regular-season meeting between the teams, as NKU was charged with 23 fouls compared to 11 by Lewis. The Norse also picked up five yellow cards to Lewis' two.

The Flyers now await for their official invite to the NCAA Great Lakes Regional, scheduled for next weekend. Pairings will be announced Monday afternoon on ncaasports.com.