By Ryan Tarletsky, sports editor
In most cases, the library is quiet enough that the only sounds that can be heard are the fingertips of students banging on the keyboards. But last night, cheers from outside were not only heard; they were shared.
“I was going to type a paper, but when I heard the crowd outside I turned my chair and sat and watched the game,” said senior Matt Jacobs. Jacobs was later joined by a few other students, who quickly turned in to silent yet supporting spectators.
After being seeded second in the conference, Friends earned a first round bye in the conference tournament and the right to host the semi-finals matchup, which ended up being against No. 3 seed Ottawa University, which had beaten the Falcons 2-1 in their previous game.
After an early goal scored by Ottawa, All-Conference senior forward Brent Hobson scored with 11 minutes remaining in the first half, which would end in a 1-1 tie.
With 22 minutes remaining in the game, a controversial call in the eyes of Ottawa fans on a play in the box led to a Friends penalty kick, which resulted in Hobson’s ninth goal of the season, giving the Falcons a 2-1 lead.
From that, the Falcons carried the momentum and scored one more goal by junior midfielder Rodrigo Tresierra to put the game away and help the Falcons win 3-1.
The Falcons will play for the KCAC championship against No. 12 in the nation Kansas Wesleyan, which previously beat Friends 3-1 in their regular season match. The championship game is at 1 p.m. Saturday in Lindsborg.