JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Illinois College men's soccer team scored at the half-hour mark of Wednesday evening's match with MacMurray College, then held on for 49 scoreless minutes after a red card left the Blueboys a man down throughout the second half in a 1-0 victory. With the win, Illinois College moves to 1-4-0 on the season and gives IC a 1-0 advantage over the Highlanders in the year-long Mayor's Cup.
MacMurray came out strong in the match and buzzed around the pitch in an electric opening half-hour.
Raul Rubalcava was kept busy in goal for the Blueboys, making a pair of saves in the opening seven minutes. The Blueboys were kept relatively quiet up front most of the half, but made the most of a MacMurray foul in the attacking third. On a set piece delivery, the ball bounced around the 18-yard box before falling to the feet of
Ryan May, who slotted home to a corner past a helpless Brantley Estes.
The match took another twist in the 41st minute on a hard collision between
AJ Underwood and Josiah Spivey. Though the two bodies came together on a 50/50 ball, Spivey took the brunt of the impact and Underwood was shown red.
Illinois College finished the half well, but MacMurray pressed hard in the second 45 minutes for the equalizer. Fortunately, Rubalcava was able to deal with everything sent his way. The sophomore made saves in the 47th, 52nd and 53rd minutes to keep the Blueboys out in front and eventually the Highlanders began to run out of ideas. The next five shots taken by MacMurray were either blocked or off-target. MacMurray managed one last effort on frame, but Rubalcava made the save in the 89th minute to close out the victory. He ended the match with eight saves for his first career shutout.
The Blueboys make their long-awaited home debut this weekend with a pair of matches at England Stadium. Illinois College first hosts Franklin College on Sept. 15 at 2 p.m. before facing Fontbonne University on Sept. 16, also at 2 p.m.
