JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Illinois College men's soccer team ran the gamut of emotions this weekend, first winning a match on Saturday in double overtime before ending up on the receiving end of a double-overtime loss on Sunday. In oppressive heat, Fontbonne University found a way past the Blueboys by a score of 3-2. IC falls to 2-5-0 on the season.
It was the Blueboys who struck first in the match, taking the lead slightly against the run of play. A foul on Fontbonne gave Illinois College a free kick just on the attacking side of midfield and
Thomas Saitta's long ball into the box was headed nicely by
Brock Ziegemeier for the opening goal in the 14th minute.
Just before halftime, Fontbonne found its equalizer as Bryan Carroll pinged a cross inside the six-yard box and Nick Wolf's volley hit the crossbar before bouncing down across the line to make it 1-1 at the break.
Early on in the second half, a give-and-go between Blake Smugala and Wolf in the Illinois College 18-yard box resulted in Wolf's second goal of the afternoon. The Blueboys would have their answer in the 74th minute as
AJ Underwood tucked one past Drew Blair at a very tight angle to make it 2-2.
With both teams beginning to wither in the heat, the best scoring opportunities often came from fresh legs recently inserted into the match. Andres Castro was an 80th-minute sub for Fontbonne and
Raul Rubalcava had to save a shot from him in the 81st minute. As the match moved into overtime,
Jared Haynes uncorked a long-range effort that required the attention of Blair to keep the match level.
The game-winner came very late when Illinois College was whistled for a foul about 25 yards out from goal. Marc Roellig sent a low, skidding shot past the IC wall and the ball momentarily ended up in Rubalcava's arms before the spin took over and the ball trickled over the goal line for the 3-2 win.
Rubalcava kept Illinois College in the match throughout the day, ending with eight saves. Ziegemeier led IC with six shots (two on target), while
Ryan May added three (two on target).
The Blueboys wrap up a three-match home stand on Sept. 19, hosting Blackburn College at England Stadium at 7 p.m.
