JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Illinois College men's soccer team picked up its first Midwest Conference victory of the season on Saturday afternoon with an exciting 2-1 victory over Lawrence University. The Blueboys went ahead, 2-0, midway through the second half, but had to hold off a spirited comeback from the Vikings to earn the win. IC moves to 4-7-0 (1-1-0 MWC) on the season.
An early flurry from Illinois College in the sixth minute nearly got the Blueboys off and running early. A
Josh Schmidt shot was saved, but the ball rebounded to
Brady O'Connell, only for his follow-up effort to go wide. O'Connell wouldn't need long before he made up for it, however. In the 18th minute,
John Antoine played the junior ahead down the left side and he finished neatly past Hunter Lanton to put the Blueboys ahead, 1-0. IC would manage only one more shot the rest of the half, but
Raul Rubalcava made sure the lead held up, stopping a pair of shots to keep Illinois College a goal up at the break.
The start of the second half grew increasingly chippy between the sides and two yellow cards were issued each way in the first 18 minutes after the restart.
Brandon Sommer ignored the distractions and doubled the Blueboy lead in the 68th minute after getting on the receiving end of a through ball from Antoine. IC's 2-0 lead lasted less than eight minutes before Antonio Gonzalez sent an absolute laser into the top corner from 35 yards out in the 76th minute to make it 2-1.
The match would end up turning on a penalty kick opportunity for Lawrence. After scoring to make it 2-1, the Vikings would not manage another shot except in the 83rd minute after Illinois College was called for a foul in the penalty area. Brendan Vellenga stepped up looking to knot the score, but Rubalcava guessed the right way and made the save to deny LU the tying goal.
Ryan May ended with a team-high four shots in the match. O'Connell, Sommer,
Thomas Saitta and
Brock Ziegemeier each had two shots apiece. Rubalcava ended with six saves on the day to earn the win in goal.
MWC action continues tomorrow morning for the Blueboys with an 11 a.m. matchup at England Stadium against Ripon College.
