PIKEVILLE, Ky. – It included more than the usual amount of twists and turns, but UPIKE men's soccer fought through the cold and a power outage to defeat Thomas More, 3-1 in the Mid-South Conference Tournament play-in match.

With the win, UPIKE moves on to face No. 1 seed Life at noon on Saturday at Warren East High School in Bowling Green.

Both teams had to battle the elements early with temperatures below 50 degrees at kickoff, as well as the city-wide power outage hitting about 15 minutes into the match.

Thomas More got on the board shortly after power was restored on a goal from Day and carried that lead into halftime.

The Saints were the more aggressive team in the first half with six total shots on goal in the opening period to Pikeville's two.

But Pikeville's offensive attack would open up in a big way after halftime. Logan Alexander leveled the match with a tap-in goal after Eric Bernabue danced around the Saints defense and had a shot blocked by TMU's keeper.

Pikeville would score the eventual game winner shortly thereafter. Thomas More attempted to clear the ball but couldn't get it past Jack Burleson who sent a strike from about 35 yards away past the keeper for UPIKE's first lead.

Thomas More repeatedly tried to tie the game back up but delivered a self-inflicted wound in the final six minutes after a Saints defender deflected a cross into his own goal.

The Bears faced their upcoming opponent just a week ago in Pikeville and nearly upset the Running Eagles before they had two back-to-back goals to take the win away from UPIKE.

-UPIKE-