Box Score

WATERTOWN, Wis. – The Edgewood College men's soccer team went into Tuesday afternoon's contest at Maranatha Baptist knowing they needed to win to assure themselves a spot in the Northern Athletics Conference Tournament. Kelmend Isaj gave the Eagles the lead in the 29th minute and goalkeeper Kyle Koenig made the goal stand up in the 1-0 victory to clinch a spot in the tournament.

In the 10th minute, Paul Domann started an onslaught of Eagle shots over the next three minutes. Domann's shot was saved before Matt Pampuch put a header just wide and Andrew Aurit had his header saved by Jon Knoedler, the Crusader goalkeeper. Domann ripped another shot in the 13th minute, but that was also turned away.

After Crusaders' Kevin Vigneault took a shot, Domann had another opportunity, but his shot in the 14th minute was again saved by Knoedler.

Thini Messan and Isaj checked into the game in the 24th minute and the duo immediately made an impact on the game. Five minutes later, Messan slid a pass to Isaj who buried his shot in the back of the cage to put the Eagles ahead 1-0. Isaj almost tallied another goal just two minutes later, but his shot hit the crossbar, and the game remained tied at halftime.

The Eagles (8-6-3, 6-4-1 NAC) threatened to extend the lead early in the second half, as Alexander Ribeiro had a shot saved in the 47th minute. After a corner kick, Domann took another shot, but that was again saved by Knoedler in the 49th minute.

After Maranatha Baptist's Nathan Andrew sent a shot high in the 51st minute, the Eagle defense tightened up, allowing only one more shot the rest of the way. That shot came in the 87th minute, but the shot was off the mark, giving the Eagles the 1-0 victory.

For Isaj, the goal was his team leading seventh of the season while Messan recorded his second assist of the year. The Eagle defense only allowed six shots in the game, none of which being on net, helping Koenig to his fifth shutout of the season. Knoedler kept the Crusaders (7-11, 2-9 NAC) in the match, making eight saves.

With the win, Edgewood College qualified for the NAC Tournament as the fifth seed. The Eagles will travel to fourth seeded Aurora University on Saturday for the quarterfinal match. The start time has not yet been announced, be sure check EdgewoodCollegeEagles.com for the game time.