The Alpha Theta Pi Razorbacks defeated the Sigma Alpha Chi Spartans 1-0 in playoff soccer Monday night.

The Razorbacks, who defeated the Spartans 1-0 earlier this year in the first game of the season, went into the match with a record of 4-1-2, while the Spartans carried a record of 2-4-1. Although they put up a great fight, the Spartans fell, once again by one goal.

Although Sigma’s two-win record over the Tornadoes and Vikings may not seem too impressive, on Monday night they showed just why they should not be counted out early.

Alpha, ranked third overall in men’s intramural soccer, has good passing, vocal communication and a fluent offense, while at the same time holding a strong defensive unit in the backfield.

Sigma, though lacking on offense, is a powerhouse when it comes to defense and does not relinquish goals easily. The team has allowed only one goal apiece in seven out of its eight games this year, with the one exception coming at the hands of the no. 1 ranked Royals, who dropped three goals on the Spartan defense earlier this year.

At halftime, both teams were deadlocked at 0-0, in spite of Alpha’s constant firing of shots on Sigma throughout the half.

In the second half, it seemed like just a matter of time until one of the Razorback shot attempts would find the net.

But as the minutes wound down, it looked as if the game would have to be decided in overtime.

With Alpha rocketing shot after shot toward Sigma’s keeper, junior Evan Fisher was doing all in his power to hold off the storm.

With just under four minutes remaining in the game, it was Alpha’s sophomore Luke Hall who finally fired a goal that found its way to the back of the net, giving the Razorbacks a 1-0 lead with just three minutes left. Alpha then went on to win the game and advance to the next playoff round.

Alpha’s Joseph Carter of the Alpha Razorbacks commented on his team’s overall performance, “We possessed well, but their goalie (Fisher) played incredibly well. We struggled to finish.”

The Spartans ended their season with a fight to the finish, testing the skill of Alpha’s players and preparing them for their next game.