BELOIT, Wis. – Two goals in a space of five minutes in the second half from
John Antoine gave the Illinois College men's soccer team some breathing room in what was an eventual 2-1 win over Beloit College on Sunday. After a scoreless opening hour, the match opened up late and the Blueboys were able to come away with the win to improve to 5-10-1 (2-4-1 Midwest Conference).
Raul Rubalcava stood tall in goal for Illinois College, especially in the first half when he made five saves to keep the match scoreless. Shots were even for the two sides in the first half at 8-8, but Beloit had more attempts on target and Rubalcava was on the spot for all of them.
Thomas Saitta and
Ryan May had the two shots for the Blueboys in the first half that required a save from Alex Lyon of the Buccaneers.
Antoine had an early statement of intent in the second half as he attempted the first shot for either team five minutes in. Following a 56th minute save by Rubalcava, Antoine broke the deadlock with his first goal of the season in the 64th minute. He had an immediate follow-up shot two minutes later that was saved by Lyon, but the junior then struck again in the 69th minute for his second goal with an assist by
Brady O'Connell.
A 2-0 lead is always dangerous and Beloit proved that to be true with a strike from Emmett Hendrickson in the 82nd minute to add some intrigue to the final minutes. The Buccaneers also sent a shot on target in the 88th minute, but Rubalcava's final save of the match preserved the 2-1 victory.
Antoine led the Blueboys with four shots in the match.
Josh Schmidt had three and both May and Saitta ended with two. Rubalcava made eight saves to pick up the win in goal.
Illinois College returns home for Senior Day on Oct. 20, facing Lake Forest College at 11 a.m.
