by Eric Willuweit
Chicago, Ill. – Despite holding a 1-0 lead entering second half play, the Illinois Tech men's soccer team could not hold off Concordia Chicago, as the Cougars scored twice and dominated play in the final frame for a 2-1 conference victory over the Scarlet Hawks. The Scarlet Hawks dropped to 3-7-0 in NACC play, and 8-8-0 overall. The Cougars improved to 2-6-2 in the NACC, and 3-9-2 overall.
After being even in shot attempts in the first half at six each, the Cougars outshot the Scarlet Hawks 13-4 in the second half, and carried possession most of the period.
How It Happened
- The Scarlet Hawks took advantage when the Cougars were protesting a no call foul in the circle. The Hawks continued play, with Michael Kaczowka sending a through ball straight down the middle of the attack zone to Maciek Matusiak. Matusiak split two defenders and buried the ball in the back right corner of the net for a 1-0 Illinois Tech lead at the 25:47 mark of the first half.
- The Cougars netted the equalizer a little over three minutes into the second half. A Cougar's throw-in from the far sideline was received by Giovanni Velasquez just inside the box. He pushed it outside of the box to Oscar Montejano, who dribbled forward and fired from the top of the penalty arc into the back-right corner of the net to even the score.
- Eight minutes later Montejano struck again. Off a near-side throw-in inside the Cougars' attack zone, the Scarlet Hawks were unable to clear the ball. Montejano picked up the ball on the right side of box, raced in and fired into the right-corner for a 2-1 Cougars lead, a lead they would not relinquish.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
- Matusiak with the lone Scarlet Hawks goal – his sixth of the season, on 2 shots total.
- Kaczowka with the assist on Matusiak's goal along with 2 shots. Kaczowka has tallied a point or more in 10 of the 16 contests the Hawks have played so far this season.
- Adam Falcigno saved 5 of 7 shots on frame.
Inside The Box Score
- The Scarlet Hawks were outshot 19-10.
- Illinois Tech had 4 shots on goal. The Cougars had 7.
- Illinois Tech had 8 fouls; Concordia Chicago had 15.
- The Cougars had a 5-3 advantage in corner kick opportunities.
- The Hawks held a 53% to 47% overall possession advantage, but the Cougars held a 29% to 20% possession advantage in the attack zones.
Up Next
The Scarlet Hawks are back at Stuart Field on Saturday, October 22 when Lakeland visits for a conference matchup at 3:30 P.M. CT.