Box Score Rockford, Ill. - The Illinois Tech men's soccer team had one mantra in mind when they traveled to Rockford Wednesday afternoon for their final regular season conference contest: "win and you're in." That's exactly what the Scarlet Hawks accomplished, defeating the host Regents 1-0, and by doing so, the Hawks qualified for the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Men's Soccer Championship tournament.
The win by the Scarlet Hawks boosted their conference record to 5-6-1, and after the remaining conference games completed Wednesday night, the Scarlet Hawks claimed the #6 seed in the conference tournament. The Hawks will travel to MSOE on Sunday to take on the Raiders at 1:00pm in the quarterfinals match.
How It Happened
- Illinois Tech got on the board first at the 6:19 mark, in what proved to be the only goal of the match. Mateo Sanchez sent a cross from the right sideline that was headed by a Rockford defender straight to the path of Scarlet Hawks forward Devin Zakeri on the left side. Zakeri raced up field 15 yards before firing a left-footer into the back right corner for a 1-0 Hawks' lead.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
- Devin Zakeri with the opening and ultimately game-winning goal, on 7 total shots, 2 on frame, in 90 minutes played. For Zakeri, it was his team-leading 11th goal of the season
- Mateo Sanchez with the assist on the game-winning goal by Zakeri, to go along with 2 shots, both on frame, in 60 minutes
- Paul Balea with 2 shots, 1 on goal, in 90 minutes
- Ben Mehl with 1 shot, on goal, in 76 minutes
- Pieros Siimitras with 1 shot, on goal, in 90 minutes
- Carter Liske with 2 shots, 1 on goal, in 30 minutes
- Colin Thomas with 2 saves in 90 minutes for the shutout
Inside The Box Score
- Rockford goalkeeper Wesley Pritzlaff had 4 saves in the contest.
- The Scarlet Hawks outshot the Regents 22-5, and had an 8-2 advantage in shots on goal
- Illinois Tech had 12 corner kicks; Rockford had 3
- Rockford was whistled for 18 fouls on the afternoon; Illinois Tech had 11 fouls
Up Next
The Scarlet Hawks will travel to Milwaukee on Sunday when they take on the MSOE Raiders at 1:00pm in a NACC Men's Soccer Quarterfinals match.
