Contact: Ashleigh Jones, Sports Information Graduate Assistant
 
Oct. 18, 2017- The North Central College men's soccer team tied its best College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) record with a 1-0 victory over Carroll University Pioneers.
 
The last time the Cardinals had five wins in CCIW play was in 1994 under former head coach Jim Kulawiak. With an overall record of 8-5-1, and an undefeated 5-0 record in the CCIW the Cardinals talented offense and reliable defense are proving to be essential to its success under head coach Matt Klosterman.
 
At the start of the game Carroll knowing that the speed and tenacity of North Central would be a lot to handle, attempted to open the game attacking the Cardinals defensive linemen. The Pioneers early attempts toward North Central's goal were quickly met by the stifling pressure of starting defensemen Andreas Kristiansson, Sean Sweeney, Jared Collier and Clint Rader.
 
Along with the steadfast backline of the Cardinals defense, the addition of Ivan Bohorquez in the midfield proved to be a vital utility player throughout the game.
 
Carroll and North Central were methodical in its passing inside the first eight minutes of the game. However, at about the nine-minute mark, a beautifully placed assist from Gavin Sanchez to Alexis Flores which resulted on a made shot on goal was withdrawn due to a late off-sides call on the sideline.
 
With the loss of the goal and a bit of confusion over the call, the Pioneers took advantage of gaining possession and built momentum towards the Cardinal's goal.
 
Though Carroll did find some gaps within the defensive line, North Central remained in control. By the 12th minute, the Cardinals found itself with another chance on goal, this time a soaring cross from Jon Borzick to Flores. Unfortunately, Flores could not get a good step on the defenders to connect with the ball.
 
By the halfway mark of the first half, the Cardinals kept pushing the tempo of the game leading to another well-timed cross into the middle of the goalie box, where Bohorquez flew in to attack. Despite the great effort by the offense, the congestion within the goalie box quickly rejected any attempt on the Pioneer's goal.
 
At the 34-minute mark freshman, forward Elmer Eng utilized his speed and quick footwork to leave him with just one more Pioneer to pass before an attempt on goal. Though Eng had the step on his defender, the timing on the shot was just a little too late, and his attempt on goal was thwarted.
 
Just four minutes after the Cardinals attack, Carroll recovered the ball and was just in range to put themselves up by one before the half. Fortunately, the pressure to score got the best of the Pioneers and the shot went wide.
 
With time winding down and the score tied at zero, senior utility player Sean Woodford ran what seemed like the full length of the field to make a great hustle play in the Carroll backfield. With his efforts, Woodford earned the Cardinals one last corner kick just before the close of the first half.
 
Though the corner did not result in anything and the game was scoreless, North Central left the field accomplished. Knowing that it had outshot its opponents four to one and allowed no corners in the first half.
 
North Central set the pace of the second half quickly, though Carroll had an early shot on goal followed by a corner kick, those were the only attempts on the Cardinals goal for the rest of the game.
 
The Pioneers did find some success in getting deeper into North Centrals' backfield with the addition of Jose Mercado a 6'2'' defensemen at forward, yet his skill set seemed misplaced when the opportunity to strike arrived.
 
As time continued to roll up and North Central sought another attempt on the Pioneers goal at the 56-minute mark. Sanchez utilized his speed and set up Jack Bullard with a fantastic shot on goal, yet was blocked by Carrol's defensemen at the last second.
 
Carroll tried to respond to the Cardinals 11 shot attempts but thanks to the sacrificial block by Bullard, the Pioneers shot was stuffed before it got past the goalie box.
 
That block was the final strike needed for North Central to get in the heads of the Pioneers. With regulation quickly approaching a combination play started by Spencer Wiese, which led to a pass to Borzick, who then chipped the ball over his defender and landed in front of Bohorquez who earned the game-winning goal.
 
With a one-goal lead and over five minutes left in the game, the Cardinals were determined not to let this evening game go into overtime. With its usual pressure, defensively and talented footwork offensively North Central wound down the clock gaining its fifth win in a row.
 
North Central travels to Wheaton, Illinois to defend its undefeated record against Wheaton College on Saturday, October 21 at 7 PM. Follow along with our live stats which can be found HERE.