By: The MWC’s leading goal-scorer struck twice for the Pioneers and that proved to be the difference.
Box Score
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – A match that featured 37 combined fouls and three yellow cards made for a choppy viewing experience for those in attendance, but Grinnell College had the Midwest Conference's leading goal-scorer on its side and that made all the difference in a 2-0 win over the Illinois College men's soccer team. The Pioneers upped their record to 4-6-1 (2-1-0 MWC) while sending the Blueboys to 6-6-0 (1-2-0 MWC).
There were not a ton of scoring chances for either side until Grinnell opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Substitute Mikoto Kobayashi sped down the left wing and swung a cross into the box that Antonio Dimarco dispatched past
Ty Clearwater to make it 1-0. Later in the first half, the Pioneers had a chance to make it 2-0 after a giveaway by the IC defense but Carlos Piedrasanta opened his body up just a bit too much when taking the shot and the ball hit the post and bounced away to keep the Blueboys within a goal at the half.
Illinois College took four shots in the first half and forced two saves out of Jared Cloutier to keep the Blueboys from leveling the game. In the second half, IC attempted another four shots but none would be on target. The match was becoming increasingly interrupted by whistles as the second half continued and the Pioneers finally capitalized off of a free kick in the 84th minute. Dimarco lined up just outside the 18-yard box and curled a shot around the wall to increase Grinnell's lead to 2-0 and seal the win.
Jonny Inez-Rodriguez took three of Illinois College's eight shots, including both that were on target and saved by Cloutier.
Brock Ziegemeier had two shots, while
Roger Mies,
Thomas Saitta and
Josh Schmidt all had one apiece. Clearwater ended with four saves on the day.
Illinois College will return to action on Oct. 7 with a 3:30 p.m. match at Monmouth College.
