FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Box Score
Sep. 14, 2008 – Micah Melendrez (Jr., Dixon, Ill./Dixon) scored the game-winning goal in the 57th minute, as the North Central College men's soccer team defeated Knox College, 2-1, to win the Sal Vaccaro Tournament title at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. It was the Cardinals first Sal Vaccaro title since 2004 and their ninth overall.
In the 22nd minute, Nico Galto (Fr., Wheaton, Ill./Warrenville South) found the net for the Cardinals heading in a cross from Michael Curtis (Fr., Morton, Ill./Morton). The Prairie Fire would counter shortly before halftime, with Ben Ramsey striking in the 40th minute to knot the score at one apiece. The teams were deadlocked at, 1-1, after 45 minutes of play despite the Cardinals holding a 13-6 advantage in shots taken.
In the second half, Melendrez found the back of the net off a free kick to seal the victory and the tournament title. Mike McEvoy (Fr., Buffalo Grove, Ill./Buffalo Grove) played all 90 minutes in goal, yielding one goal and stopping six shots.
With the win, North Central improves to 6-1, while Knox falls to 2-2. The Cardinals, who already surpassed last season's win total, surpassed last season's goal total netting their 18th and 19th goals of the season. The Cardinals scored just 18 goals in 2008. North Central continues their four-game homestand on Wednesday, September 17 when the University of Dubuque comes to town. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.
