River Forest, Ill. - The Illinois Tech men's soccer team came into their road match at Concordia Chicago Wednesday afternoon, looking to even up their conference record. After staking out to a 2-0 lead in the second half, the Hawks saw the Cougars tie the score with two goals in three minutes. But the Scarlet Hawks were able to net the game-winner with just under 6 minutes remaining to defeat the Cougars 3-2. 

With the win, the Hawks indeed evened their conference record to 2-2-0 in conference, and 3-4-5 overall. The Cougars dropped to 0-5-0 in conference and 0-9-0 overall.

How It Happened

• 17 seconds into the second half, the Scarlet Hawks struck first. Logan Garcia blocked a clearing attempt along the right sideline inside the Cougars zone. Racing down the sideline towards the back line, he sent a cross through the goal box that was picked up by Adam Lazarowicz, who poked it high-middle for his first goal of the season, and a 1-0 Scarlet Hawks lead.

• In the 51st minute, Anthony Paiotti, about 12 yards out from goal on the right sideline, chipped a ball towards the box that Lazarowicz was able to one-time with his left foot into the right corner of the net for a 2-0 Scarlet Hawks lead.

• 14 minutes later, the Cougars cut their deficit in half. A Concordia Chicago throw-in along the right side inside Illinois Tech territory was received in the middle of the field by Joseph Perez. Perez spun and passed to his left, where Brandon Arias blasted a 25 footer over the fingers of Scarlet Hawks goalkeeper Marko Brajkovic on the left side of the net, cutting the Illinois Tech lead to 2-1.

• Three minutes later, Concordia Chicago netted the equalizer goal. On a free kick along the right side inside Scarlet Hawks territory, the ball was headed out of the box to Arias, standing about 20 yards straight out from goal. Arias bodied the ball down to his left foot and in one motion fired it past Brajkovic to tie the score at 2-2.

• The Scarlet Hawks retook the lead in the 84th minute. Playing in the left corner deep inside the Concordia Chicago zone, Devin Zakeri made a pass to the box that went wide of the right side of the goal. Paul Balea was able to track the ball down before it crossed the back line, and pushed it back up field to Logan Garcia, who headed the ball back towards the box. Maciek Matusiak controlled the ball with his right foot and sent the ball to the back right-corner of the net for a 3-2 Scarlet Hawks lead.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Lazarowicz with a pair of goals on 3 shots in 80 minutes played.

• Logan Garcia with two assists, including on the game-winning goal, in 68 minutes played.

• Matusiak with the game-winning goal, his 5th goal of the season, in 12 minutes played.

• Paiotti with one assist, 2 shots, one on goal, in 49 minutes played.

Cougars Watch

• Arias with a pair of goals, his first two of the season, on two shots in 75 minutes played.

• Garrett Poynter with an assist, 4 shots, 1 on frame, in 90 minutes played.

• Perez with an assist in 83 minutes played.

• Alexander Lechowicz had 3 shots, 2 on frame, in 90 minutes played.

Inside The Box Score

• Shots were even at 12 each.

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