LEXINGTON, Va. -- Parker Owen's first-half goal stood up the rest of the match and the Covenant men's soccer team knocked off Denison, 1-0, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday afternoon at Watt Field on the campus of Washington & Lee.

It is the first NCAA Tournament win in program history for Covenant (12-3-4). The Scots also become the first USA South men's soccer team to win an NCAA Tournament match since 2010.

Covenant advances to the second round and will face nationally-ranked No. 1 Washington & Lee on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Watt Field. The host Generals defeated Baruch, 6-1, earlier on Friday.

The Scots struck early and then the defense took care of the rest on a chilly evening in Lexington. Owen headed in a corner kick off the foot of Griffin Felton for the match's lone goal in the 15th minute. The score was Owen's fifth of the year.

The two teams combined for just 16 shots in the contest as Covenant outshot the Big Red, 9-7. Henry Hooks made three saves to notch his eighth shutout of the season, while Felton, Nathan Laughlin, Jay Patterson, and Will Kenas were key on the backline to limit Denison's chances throughout the match.

The win extended Covenant's unbeaten streak to 15, as the Scots have not lost since Sept. 7.

Mercer Stout led all players with four shots, three of which were on target, while Owen and Kade Theunissen had two apiece. Denison (12-5-2) was led by Ben Goeller and Ethan Miracle's two shots each.

The men's soccer team becomes just the second Covenant program to win an NCAA Tournament contest, joining the 2017 volleyball team.

UP NEXT

Covenant and Washington & Lee will meet at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday with a berth in the sectionals on the line.

CONNECT WITH THE SCOTS

Be sure to follow the Scots all season long on athletics.covenant.edu and on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news and other information.