BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Matthew Skonicki scored the game-winning goal in the 74th minute to lead fourth-seeded Winthrop to a 2-1 victory over third-seeded Liberty, Sunday afternoon at the 2009 Big South Conference Men's Soccer Tournament at Gardner-Webb University's Greene-Harbison Stadium in Boiling Springs, N.C. Winthrop captures its second consecutive Conference crown, and receives the Big South's automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship.  It is the Eagles fourth Big South title, having won in 2002, 06 and 08.

With just under 20 minutes to go in the game, Matthew Skonicki headed a Stephen Nsereko cross from 12 yards out that hit the top right corner of the crossbar and bounced straight down. The ball popped out a bit, but Skonicki followed his own miss and then headed the ball into the goal.

Liberty took advantage early of a mistake by the Winthrop defense and took a 1-0 lead in the 2nd minute. The Eagles defense failed to clear the ball and Amoo took the ball and played a perfect pass to Alex Verville, who beat Enrique Miranda to the far post from about 12 yards out. The play settled down over the next 35 or so minutes until Winthrop finally broke through in the 42nd minute. From the left side of the field, Skonicki worked himself into some open space and worked a cross to the front of the goal mouth. Nsereko ran on to the cross, took a touch and then ripped a shot into the lower left corner of the goal from about 18 yards out to tie the match.

After falling behind 1-0, Winthrop quickly responded as Adam Skonicki nearly tied the game 31 seconds later. Wylie Rea served a ball into the box and Adam Skonicki flicked the ball with his head and Liberty keeper Panashe Nhekario got enough of his hand on the ball to tip it up and off the crossbar for the save. Liberty had an opportunity to go ahead 2-0 in the 7th minute when Timothy Bullock unmarked at the back post off a free kick, but his shot was saved by Enrique Miranda.

Winthrop's Said Abdi had a good opportunity to nab the game-winner in the moments before Matthew Skonicki did as he sailed a shot off a square pass over the crossbar with just over 18 left.

Winthrop finished the game with 14 shots while the Flames had six. Miranda earned the win in goal as he made two saves. Nhekario finished with two saves.

Miquel Casajuana was named Tournament MVP for his play in Winthrop's three games.  Joining Casajuana on the All-Tournament Team were teammates Daniel Di Biagio, Jordan Osborn and Enrique Miranda; Darren Amoo, Timothy Bullock, and Greg White from runner-up Liberty; Alex Russell and Scott Angevine from Coastal Carolina; Daren Patrio and Brendan Shaffner from Radford; Jovan Ivanovic (Gardner-Webb), Brian Sowell (VMI), J.J. Morrow (UNC Asheville) and Karo Okiomah (High Point) round out the All-Tournament squad.

Winthrop improves to 11-5-4 on the year, while Liberty drops to 12-5-3.  It was the first time Winthrop and Liberty met in the Conference Tournament Championship Game.