Contact: Ashleigh Jones, Sports Information Graduate Assistant
 
Lisle, Ill. (Sept. 13, 2017)- The North Central College men's soccer team utilized its depth and athleticism to out maneuver Benedictine University in its 3-1 victory, improving to a 3-2 season record.
 
The Cardinals arrived at Lisle-Benedictine Sports Complex motivated to build off its latest win over Grinnell. With both starting center backs out, North Central looked to freshman Alex Baines as well as sophomore Clint Rader, who made his first college start for poise in the back field.
 
"They put a lot of pressure on us from the very beginning," said Matt Klosterman. "I am so pleased with how we responded especially while facing a team who was a Sweet 16 contender just last year."
 
Working alongside Baines and Rader, sophomore Andreas Kristiansson played a crucial role in stifling the Eagles primary source of offense.
 
"Andy played incredibly well against Benedictines' senior two-time All-American Forward," said Klosterman
 
With the support of a highly effective backline, North Centrals' offense flourished with confidence, which led the Cardinals to tie its' second highest shots on goal total, 17.
 
After about 17 minutes of play had passed North Central found its offensive groove, with an assist by Sean Woodford to Alexis Flores, the Cardinals were up 1-0.
 
Down by one goal, Benedictine did not back down and continued to push the ball up the field. However, North Central's depth proved stronger.
 
"The second team played a lot following our 1-0 lead," said Klosterman. "Our second group changed the game, they upped the tempo, and players such as Gavin Sanchez and Ryan Powers played hard and were dangerous."
 
Thanks to such resilience across the roster, the Cardinals fed off each other and early in the second half recorded yet another beautifully orchestrated goal by Sean Woodford, who was assisted by a series of timely passes by Flores and O'Deen.
 
By the 75th minute of the game, North Central had its sights on shutting out Benedictine; however, the Eagles thought otherwise and scored its first goal in the 81st minute.
 
With plenty of time still on the clock and fresh legs on the field, the Cardinals did not lose a beat, and within 60 seconds of the Eagles goal, the Cardinals' Ryan O'Deen scored. Putting the Cardinals back up by two.
 
"I was pleased with how they responded to Benedictines' goal," said Klosterman, "the starting group with Flores, O'Deen, and Jon Borzick worked so well together.
 
With just five non-conference games under the Cardinals belt, it will be exciting to see how North Central will respond in the upcoming conference play games.
 
"Today's win was a continuation of our whole season thus far. Starting from our first scrimmage to now the team has gotten better every day," said Klosterman.
 
The Cardinals look to build on this win streak when it travels to River Forest to face Dominican University this Saturday at 12 PM. Live stats can be found HERE.

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