Contact: Matthew Eaker, Sports Information Graduate Assistant,
mreaker@noctrl.edu
Sept. 17, 2022 - The North Central College men's soccer team welcomed the No. 24 Wartburg College Knights to Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium on Saturday afternoon where the Cardinals shutout the Knights 3-0 to extend their unbeaten streak to seven games.
The last time the Cardinals (5-0-2) and Knights (3-1-2) met, the Cardinals took home a 2-0 win and they looked to keep their success going in yesterday's contest. The Knights came out firing as Kolby Fahner found a hole in the defense in the second minute but his shot would be blocked just outside the box. In the eighth minute, Andrew Valenzuela of Wartburg had another opportunity but his shot couldn't find the net, shutting down the Knights scoring opportunity. The Cardinals offense could not find any momentum early but in the 39th minute Aidan Westerberg lined up for a corner kick and found a lonely Jack Bonavia on the backside of the net who would head the ball into the back of the net to give the Cardinals a one goal lead late in the first half. Both offenses would stall and the Cardinals would head into the break up 1-0.
The Cardinal offense would pick up where it left off in the second half as Westerberg slipped past defenders and made goalkeeper Brennon Woody miss to notch the second goal of the game for the Cardinals. Just two minutes later, Westerberg looked like he had his second goal of the afternoon but his shot slipped just wide of the left post, keeping the score at 2-0. In the 74th minute, Wartburg's goalkeeper received a red card in the penalty area which awarded the Cardinals with a penalty kick and an opportunity to extend their lead. Johnny Kraemer stepped up to the line and fired one past Cameron Haugen to put the Cardinals up by three. The Cardinal defense held strong, only allowing one shot on net after Kraemer's goal which was handled by Marquardt to secure the upset win over the No. 24 team in the nation.
Marquardt tallied a season high five saves while improving his record to 5-0-1 on the season. This was his fourth shutout of the season bringing his career total to 15 which ranks 25th in all NCAA divisions and eighth in Division III.
The Cardinals are back in action tomorrow afternoon as they host the University of Dubuque inside Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium at 4 pm. For live coverage, click HERE.
Download the free North Central Cardinals app, available for iOS and Android devices, to receive up to the minute news, scores and updates on your favorite North Central teams. Click HERE for more information.
