Chicago, Ill. - After dropping their last conference match on Saturday, the Illinois Tech men's soccer team was looking to get back to even in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play when Concordia Chicago came to visit Stuart Field Wednesday night. That memo never made its way to the visitors, however, as Concordia Chicago scored a late goal in the 80th minute to give the Cougars a 1-0 victory. The Scarlet Hawks fell to 1-3-0 in NACC play, and to 5-3-2 overall. The Cougars notched their first conference victory to move to 1-4-0, and improved to 2-6-0 overall.

The Scarlet Hawks had several chances in the final ten minutes to get the equalizer goal, including a point blank chance by Mateo Sanchez in the final minute, but Cougars goaltender Nethan Gudiel was up to the task, preserving the Concordia Chicago shutout. In total, the Hawks got off five shots over the final ten minutes of play in their push to tie the match.

How It Happened

• The teams went scoreless in the opening half, although the Cougars had the better of play. Concordia Chicago outshot Illinois Tech 7-1 in the opening frame, with Scarlet Hawks goalkeeper Adam Falcigno making three saves. 
• Tomas Rebelatto of the Scarlet Hawks had a great chance to put the team in front in the 57th minute when he fired a shot to the right corner of the net. But the shot hit the post, and Concordia Chicago regained possession.
• In the 80th minute, Concordia Chicago broke through the scoreless tie. A Concordia Chicago cross from the left sideline was received by the Cougars' Vincente Romero right of goal outside the penalty area. Romero passed back to an oncoming Elias De Santiago, who blasted a right-footer 25-yard out into the upper left corner for a 1-0 Cougars lead.
• With a minute remaining, the Scarlet Hawks' Pieros Siimitras received a through ball at the top of the penalty area and passed to his left to a cutting Mateo Sanchez. Sanchez's left-footer bounced into the hand of Cougars' goalkeeper Gudiel, who covered up for the save on the Scarlet Hawks' final scoring opportunity.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Adam Falcigno with only one goal allowed and 4 saves facing 5 shots on goal by the Cougars
• Tomas Rebelatto with 3 shots in 20 minutes played
• Mateo Sanchez with 2 shots, 1 on goal, in 69 minutes
• Paul Balea with 1 shot, on goal, in 61 minutes of action
• Devin Zakeri with 2 shots in 86 minutes played

Inside The Box Score

• Concordia Chicago's Elias De Santiago with the game-winning goal on 2 shots, both on frame
• Nethan Gudiel of Concordia Chicago with 2 saves for the shutout
• The Cougars outshot the Scarlet Hawks 15-10
• The Scarlet Hawks were whistled for 16 fouls in the match; the Cougars had 9 fouls

Up Next
The Scarlet Hawks will hit the road for their next two matches, starting on Saturday, October 5th when they travel to Mequon, Wisconsin to take on Concordia Wisconsin at 1:00pm in a NACC matchup.