FOND DU LAC, Wis. — Illinois Tech men's soccer came into their match against Marian on Saturday looking to get back on the scoreboard, but more importantly, back in the win column after their scoreless draw at Benedictine on Wednesday. The Scarlet Hawks accomplished both objectives in defeating Marian (WI) 4-2 on Saturday at Smith Field. The Scarlet Hawks scored three first-half goals and finished with a 22-4 advantage in shots, including 9-2 in shots on goal.
Illinois Tech is 6-4-1 overall and 3-2-1 in conference play. The Sabres are 1-8-1 overall and 1-5-0 in conference play.
How It Happened
Illinois Tech created the early chances, with
Tomas Rebelatto and
Adrian Cogolludo among the players recording attempts before
Junior Pineda-Alcala scored from the top of the box at 17:41 for a 1-0 lead. The Sabres had Liam Tran sent off and received a team yellow card at 18:27,
Nick Skiba was booked at 20:31, and Avery Coyle scored at 20:43 off assists from JT Sus and Jack Williams to tie the match at 1-1. Illinois Tech went back in front at 21:15 when
Cal Graham finished
Paul Balea's centering pass with a right-footed tap-in for a 2-1 advantage. After the Scarlet Hawks earned corner kicks at 37:35 and 38:35,
Theo Balea scored at 39:15 off
Paul Balea's assist, sending a shot from the top right corner of the box off the left post and in as Illinois Tech took a 3-1 lead into halftime.
The Scarlet Hawks pressed early in the second half, getting shots from Graham and Cogolludo before Connor Farrell saved Pineda-Alcala's attempt at 51:24. The pressure continued with additional looks from
Darii Kishchak, Graham, Pineda-Alcala and
Zach Skiba, and Illinois Tech was credited with a team goal at 70:26 when a centering pass was kicked in by a defender to make it 4-1. The Scarlet Hawks kept creating chances after that, with Farrell saving shots by Kishchak and
Logan Olree before
Enrique Alvarado sent a later attempt wide. The Sabres pulled one back at 86:17 on Jack Williams' goal from JT Sus and earned a late corner kick, but Illinois Tech finished with a 4-2 win.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
Theo Balea
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- one goal
- game-winning goal
- two shots
Junior Pineda-Alcala
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- one goal
- four shots
- two shots on goal
Cal Graham
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- one goal
- four shots
Paul Balea
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- two assists
Darii Kishchak
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- three shots, all on goal
Sabres Top Performers
Jack Williams
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- 1 goal
- 1 assist
- 3 points
JT Sus
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- 2 assists
Connor Farrell
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- 6 saves
- 90:00 in goal
Avery Coyle
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- 1 goal
- 2 shots, 1 on goal
Game Notes:
- Illinois Tech improved to 6-3-1 lifetime against Marian.
- Team - Registered 22 shots in the match, above their season average of 14.1.
-
Paul Balea - Achieved a season-high of 2 assists.
-
Theo Balea - Scored first game-winning goal of the season.
Up Next
The Scarlet Hawks host Lakeland on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. at Stuart Field in another NACC matchup.
