FLORIDA — North Florida outlasted Bellarmine 3-2 in overtime Saturday in the ASUN Championship match before 1,040 spectators. The Osprey secured the conference title with a dramatic extra-time victory, with Paul Schacherer delivering the decisive goal in the 91st minute. The result capped a remarkable tournament run for North Florida, which advanced through three consecutive matches without regulation victory.
Rentaro Miyakawa opened scoring for the hosts in the 18th minute, giving North Florida an early advantage. Anton Khelil extended the lead to 2-0 in the 46th minute, appearing to put the match beyond reach as Bellarmine struggled to generate consistent offensive pressure through the opening half. The two-goal cushion held until late in regulation, when the Knights mounted a furious comeback.
Johan Nissen-Lie pulled Bellarmine within one goal in the 79th minute with an assist from Alex Halevy. Rhys Davies equalized just two minutes later in the 81st minute, with Collin Folds providing the assist to force overtime. The dramatic sequence shifted momentum entirely, sending the championship match to extra time with both teams seeking the decisive breakthrough.
Schacherer settled the championship in the 91st minute, assisted by Rafa Rios and Alex Barnett, securing North Florida's conference crown. The goal capped an intense back-and-forth contest that showcased both teams' resilience and attacking capability. North Florida's goalkeeper Luciano Natoli made two crucial saves, including a stop on Teddy Franke in the 84th minute that proved vital to the eventual outcome.
North Florida dominated possession in the second half, recording 11 corner kicks compared to Bellarmine's four. The Osprey also held a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal, though Bellarmine's Peter Van Euwen made three saves to keep his team competitive. Despite the statistical advantage, North Florida required overtime to secure the title, reflecting Bellarmine's defensive organization and goalkeeper performance.
The championship represented a significant achievement for North Florida, which rebounded from a 1-4 loss to Stetson on November 1st. Bellarmine entered the tournament as defending champions but fell short in the final despite an 8-4-5 regular-season record. The Knights' resilience in nearly forcing a penalty shootout demonstrated their tournament pedigree, though the late-game execution ultimately favored the home side.
Both teams received yellow cards for unsporting conduct, with Alfie Mattocks and Geraldo Neto cautioned for North Florida, while Brendan Schoemehl and Bellarmine's team received yellows. The disciplined nature of the match reflected the championship-level intensity, with neither squad receiving a red card despite the physical demands of overtime play.
North Florida's victory showcased the program's ability to perform in high-pressure situations, converting a tournament run into a conference championship. The Osprey's three consecutive matches without regulation victory—including a scoreless triple-overtime draw against Stetson in the semifinal—demonstrated exceptional mental toughness. Bellarmine's comeback attempt proved insufficient against a North Florida team that ultimately found the winning formula when it mattered most.