FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Box Score

Sept. 10, 2010-- The North Central College men's soccer team looked poised for an upset of regionally-ranked Hope College (Mich.) on Friday night before a Flying Dutchmen goal with 41 seconds remaining forced the game into overtime as the two squads battled to a 1-1 stalemate in a non-conference match at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.

The Cardinals (2-1-1) struck in the 23rd minute, drawing a penalty kick after a Hope defender took down Jake Muszczynski in the box. Michael Curtis buried the ensuing penalty kick, giving the home side the 1-0 edge that they would take into the half, outshooting the Dutchmen by an 8-5 margin.

North Central maintained its advantage until the 90th minute when a Shaun Groetsema corner kick connected with the head of David Whitaker for the equalizing score with 41 seconds remaining in regulation.

Neither squad was able to muster a goal in the two 10-minute sudden death overtime periods before settling on the tie after 120 minutes of play.

Phillip Klipp made a season-high 10 saves in goal for the Cardinals, with all but one coming in the second half and overtime. His counterpart, Logan Neil, notched eight saves on the night.

North Central's physical style of play disrupted Hope's (2-0-1) potent offensive attack for much of the game, getting flagged for offsides on nine occasions. The Flying Dutchmen, ranked fourth in the Central Region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, came into the contest averaging over five goals a game.

The Cardinals return to the pitch on Saturday at 7 p.m., hosting No. 1 ranked Calvin College (Mich.) inside Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.