CARY, N.C. – First half goals from freshman David Cuperman and senior Brian Benitez led the Averett University men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over William Peace University in its regular season finale on Thursday night. 
 
Averett (6-11, 5-5 USA South) earned the No. 5 seed in the upcoming USA South Conference Tournament, which begins this weekend. The Cougars, making their seventh consecutive postseason appearance, will play at No. 4 seed N.C. Wesleyan College in Saturday's quarterfinals at 2:30 p.m. in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

Against William Peace, Cuperman struck first for Averett a little more than nine minutes into the game when he hammered in a shot from 40 yards out to give the Cougars the early advantage. The Cougars doubled their lead in the 29th minute when freshman Markus Huhtala crossed in a ball from the left side and Benitez found the ball with a beautiful header to give Averett a 2-0 advantage.
 
William Peace (2-16, 2-8 USA South) got on the board late in the first period when Enrique Ochoa slipped a left-footed shot past the Cougars' defense to trim its deficit to one.
 
Averett recorded double-digit shots for the third consecutive game, posting 12 in the victory. Junior Ricki Roman paced the Cougars with three attempts, while Benitez and junior Taylor Jones each chipped in with two shots. Senior John Matrisciano had six saves between the sticks for Averett.