By Jami Sponaugle

Chicago, Ill. - On Senior Day for the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks men's soccer team, the Hawks hosted the Finlandia University Lions in the final non-conference match-up of the 2022 season. By the end of the 90 minutes, the Hawks recorded a 4-3 victory behind a two goal performance from Anthony Paiotti. The Hawks currently have a 10-8 overall record, and a 4-7 Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) record. 

Senior Day

At halftime, the Hawks honored their 10 seniors: David de la Fuente, Matthew Gombar, Colin Harris, Younghoon Jung, Anthony Paiotti, Jordan Plewa, Josh Plimpton, Caleb Terronez, Ziyad Yacoubou, and Nikhil Youssef. Congratulations to these seniors for their careers as Scarlet Hawks. Thank you for your contributions to Illinois Tech both on and off the field. 

How It Happened

• One minute into the match was all it took Paiotti to get the Hawks their first goal of the match off a Terronez assist. A Hawk throw that went in the 18-yard box was defected by a Lions defender and went straight to Terronez. Terronez brought the ball down before passing it off to Paiotti. Paiotti took a small touch and before the Lions defender got to him, Paotti ripped a right footed shot, sending the ball right past the Lions goalkeeper to put the Hawks up 1-0. 

• Almost two minutes later, the Lions tied up the match 1-1. Christian Mendoza-Huynh scored for the Lions off a Jesper Hagelberg assist. Hagelberg split the Hawks defense with a pass to a defenderless Mendoza-Huynh. Mendoza-Huynh was able to spin with the ball and face the goal before taking a shot and sending the ball into the opposite side netting. 

• In the 23rd minute, Gombar gave the Hawks back their lead. Receiving a Lions clearance attempt, Gombar scored off an absolute rocket from outside the corner of the 18-yard box. Although the Lions goalkeeper was able to get his hands on the ball, Gombars shot was too powerful and went straight through his hands, bounced off the post, and crossed the goal-line to give the Hawks a 2-1 lead. 

• Paiotti got his second of the match in the second half at the 56th minute mark. Paiotti received the ball and dribbled his way into the 18-yard box before shooting the ball into the opposite side netting to put the Hawks up 3-1. 

• The Lions netted their second of the match in the 60th minute. Chinedu Ikem scored with a fast paced, rolling ball into the near post corner from inside the 18-yard box. 

• Michael Kaczowka joined in on the Hawks goal scoring action less then one minute after the Lions goal. The Hawks took a 4-2 lead when Plimpton, who assisted the play, received the ball inside the 18-yard box. Plimpton dribbled to the top of the 6-yard box, and laid the ball across to Kaczowka. Kaczowka just had to run onto the ball and tap it in to extend the Hawks lead. 

• With a goal in the 71st minute, the Lions cut the Hawks lead to one. Ikem scored his second of the match off a Mohamed Koroma assist. A airbourne ball that was sent into the 18-yard box was flicked on with the use of Koroma's head and went straight to Ikem who volleyed the ball into the lower left hand corner to make it a 4-3 match with 19:42 remaining. Ikem's goal proved to be the final of the match as neither side could find the back of the net. 

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Leading the team with two goals was Paiotti. Gombar and Kaczowka followed with one goal apiece. 

• Paiotti led the team in shots, recording 7 throughout the match. 3 shots were placed on frame. Kaczowka followed with 3 shots 2 on frame. 

• Terronez and Plimpton picked up assists during the match. 

Inside the Box Score 

• 19 shots went in favor of Finlandia, with 13 on frame, compared to Illinois Tech's 17 shots, 8 on frame. 

• The Hawks goalkeeper duo made a total of 10 saves versus the Lions 4 saves.

• Neither side earned a corner kick. 

Up Next

The Hawks close out the 2022 NACC regular season on Wednesday when they welcome the Rockford University Regents on Stuart Field at 7:00 p.m.