JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Illinois College men's soccer team battled through a hot September afternoon and emerged with a 1-0 win in overtime over Coe College at England Stadium on Saturday. The match was scoreless for 90 minutes and very nearly needed a second overtime session until
Thomas Saitta took
Spencer Bloome's redirected shot and found a corner in the 100th minute for the game-winner. IC improves to 2-3-2 on the season.
The first half provided no clear advantage to either side. Coe had a 5-2 edge in total shots, but Rubalcava made four saves to keep the Kohawks scoreless. For the Blueboys, it wasn't until the 23rd minute that a shot was even attempted. The other first-half shot for IC came at the stroke of halftime as Saitta put a free kick from just outside the box on frame where it was saved by Connor Teget.
The game opened up in the second half and scoring opportunities were a little easier to come by. Coe managed a slight 7-5 lead in shots in the second 45 minutes, but Rubalcava was only needed for a single save in the whole half which came on a soft effort from CJ Joseph in the 67th minute.
Bohlt Hamrick provided a spark off the bench for the Blueboys. He pulled a shot just over the bar not long after entering. Later on, he pounced on a Coe giveaway and provided the setup for a Bloome shot that required a leaping save from Teget. He ended the second half with a low shot on target while facing pressure from the Kohawk backline.
In the extra session, Rubalcava made a double-save in quick succession, denying a header by Connor Fitch in the 99th minute that easily could have ended the match. He then secured the rebound after an effort from Colton Wever. Going the other way, Saitta fought to keep IC with possession in Coe's final third. Bloome looked to bend a shot around the Coe defense, but it took a re-direction right to Saitta who spun and quickly shot a ball just inside the right post. Coe's post-game appeals for an offside call were waved away, ending a two-match winning streak for the visitors.
Illinois College is back home tomorrow, facing Elmhurst College in a 1 p.m. match.
