By Nick Novy/Cincinnati State Sports Information
 
Cincinnati, OH---The Cincinnati State men's soccer team clinched 1st place in the NJCAA Region XII standings after defeating Ancilla College 3-0 on Friday night.
 
Cincinnati State sophomore captain Liam Doyle opened the scoring in the 10th minute, converting a 25 yard strike which deflected off the right corner of the goal and into the net.
 
Down 1-0, Ancilla generated quality scoring chances but were unable to take advantage. With Cincinnati State goalkeeper Ryan Hall straying away from the net in the 38th minute, Ancilla's Isaias Membreno's two attempts on goal were deflected by freshman Brad Schluter. 4 minutes later, Liam Doyle would strike again, scoring his 12th goal of the season off of a rebound.
 
"That was a great effort by Brad which goes unnoticed in the stat sheet," Cincinnati State head coach Mike Combs said. "An Ancilla goal may have changed the complexion of the game. Instead, the score remained 1-0 and Liam took some of the wind out of Ancilla's sale with a goal just minutes later."
 
Doyle, who recently committed to The Ohio State University, currently leads the team in points (34), assists (10), and is tied for the team lead in goals (12).
 
In the 72nd minute, freshman Trae Collins set up teammate Vonne Byrd for his 4th goal of the season. For Collins and Byrd, who were high school teammates at Carroll High School, it marked the first time the tandem had connected together for a goal this season.
 
Ryan Hall, with help from Schluter and the rest of the Surge defensive unit, turned away all nine shots he faced en route to his 4th shutout of the season.
 
"We did our job and accomplished one of our season objectives with a quality win over a good team tonight," Combs said. "Claiming the top spot in the region is a great achievement. We now have to focus our attention on Jackson this Sunday and a big game to end the season next weekend against Owens."
 
Improving to 13-1-2 overall, Cincinnati State extended its winning streak to 6 games and clinched the top spot in the regional standings for the first time since 2010. The Surge will be the top seed in next month's Region XII post season tournament.
 
Ancilla, which suffered its first road loss of the season, fell to 8-6 overall.
 
The Surge, which are currently ranked No. 9 in the NJCAA national poll, host Jackson Community College on Sunday at 1 pm. The game will be played at Xavier University. 
 
For more information on Cincinnati State soccer, please visit - http://www.cincinnatistate.edu/on-campus/athletics/mens-soccer-1
 
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