Recap courtesy of University of the District of Columbia Sports Information
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY – Mustafa Tahir headed in the game-winning goal in the 100th minute to lift No. 6 District of Columbia to a 2-1 overtime victory over No. 5 Molloy in the 2024 ECC Men's Soccer Championship Final on John A. Darcy Field at the RVC Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Firebirds (8-7-4, 3-4-1 ECC) claimed the program's first-ever ECC title and earned the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament, marking just their second appearance since the 2017 season.
UDC's Ignacio Lopez was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
Box Score
UDC took an early lead in the 3rd minute when Lopez scored a goal from a free kick just outside the 18-yard box. The Firebirds held onto the 1-0 advantage into halftime.
Molloy equalized in the 57th minute with a header from Steph Maurice, assisted by Charlie Morgan, off a well-placed free kick. The two sides battled fiercely throughout the second half, with both defenses holding strong to force overtime.
With just nine seconds remaining in the first overtime period, Tahir capitalized on a loose ball following a corner kick, heading it past ECC Rookie of the Year Callum Hunt to secure the championship for UDC.
Key Performances
- Mustafa Tahir: Game-winning goal in overtime, his third of the season.
- Ignacio Lopez: Opening goal from a free kick, his sixth goal of the season, and third in the postseason.
- Giovanni Llamas: Made 4 saves in goal, earning his 7th win of the season.
Team Statistics
- Shots: UDC 9, Molloy 13
- Shots on Goal: UDC 4, Molloy 5
- Saves: UDC 4, Molloy 2
- Corner Kicks: UDC 5, Molloy 2
- Fouls: UDC 15, Molloy 9
Despite a 1-5-2 start, the Firebirds managed to turn the season around and are now on a seven-game unbeaten streak. They become the first-ever No. 6 seed to win the ECC Championship title, upsetting the No.3 (Roberts Wesleyan), 2 (Mercy) and 5 (Molloy) seeds on the road.
UDC will now await the NCAA selection show, which will be aired Monday night at 6:30 PM, for their seeding and opponent in the tournament.