Contact: Sam Fretto, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant, sjfretto@noctrl.edu

MONMOUTH, Ill. (Aug. 30, 2025)- Following their 2-2 draw against Knox College, the North Central College men's soccer team returned to action today with a non-conference match against the Monmouth College Fighting Scots at Peacock Memorial Athletic Park. The Cardinals shut out the Fighting Scots 2-0 for their first win of the season. 

The Cardinals offense got off to a quick start with multiple offensive attacks and shots on goal, including one from Will Mayer and Aleks Duncevic, both of which were saved by the Fighting Scots goalkeeper Luis Villa. 

The offense finally broke through for a goal in the 14th minute after an errant goal kick gave the Cardinals possession near midfield. The attack included a through pass from Duncevic to connect with Lucas Laird, who found Joseph Sargent on a cross pass to strike first. Laird was credited with his first career assist, while Sargent scored his first collegiate goal. 

The second score of the match was off the foot of Gege Nikiema on a penalty kick in the 35th minute after he was fouled in front of the net. Defensively the Cardinals were sound in the first half, allowing just two shots on the goal, both of which were saved by Daniel Szalai. 

In the second half, the Fighting Scots turned up the intensity on offense, taking six shots, with four being on goal. The Cardinals defense, anchored by Szalai, saved them all, tallying six total saves in the match. Offensively, the Cardinals took 10 second-half shots, including three from Sam Teeuwen and one from Jack Bonavia, which was saved. 

The Cardinals outshot the Fighting Scots 22-9 and had more shots on goal, 9-6. The Fighting Scots had seven saves to the Cardinals' six, but Szalai and the defense held the Fighting Scots scoreless. 

The Cardinals (1-0-1) return home to host the Milwaukee School of Engineering Raiders (1-0-0) on Thursday, Sept. 4, with a 7 p.m. kickoff inside Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.