Box Score LISLE, Ill. – No shootout was needed this time, but the end result is the same: the Edgewood College men's soccer team is moving on in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament. The sixth-seeded Eagles defeated top-seeded Benedictine University 2-0 in a semifinal match to advance to their first NACC Tournament final in school history. The surprising Eagles are one win from their first NCAA Division III Tournament berth since 2005.
Even as the last team into the NACC Tournament, Edgewood College (11-6-3) felt reasonably confident against Benedictine, given a narrow 2-1 overtime loss to BU back on September 28, in which the Eagles led 1-0 in the final 10 minutes. Tuesday's match also found the Edgewood College ahead early.
A cross from Andrew Aurit in the 18th minute led to a confusing scramble in the penalty area, but first team All-NACC player Stephen Gilbert was in the right place. Gilbert's header beat Benedictine goalkeeper Zorohn Reed for a 1-0 Edgewood College lead. Alexander Ribeiro nearly added another in the first half, but his drive in the 37th minute caromed off the crossbar.
Benedictine University (9-9-1) turned up the pressure in the second half with two shots early on, but it was Edgewood College who struck again. Following a Benedictine foul in the 61st minute, Max Harty took a free kick for the Eagles. Harty's shot was saved by Reed, but Kelmend Isaj jumped on the rebound and put it away for a 2-0 Edgewood College lead. The goal was Isaj's fifth of the season.
Benedictine threw all kinds of players forward to try and get back in the match, but the Eagles defense held firm. Edgewood College goalkeeper Chad Stivers made three saves in the final 25 minutes to punch the Eagles' ticket to the NACC Tournament Championship match.
Edgewood College will face No. 2 seed Dominican University on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. for the NACC Tournament title. The Stars have won all seven of the previous NACC Tournament championships. Earlier this season, Edgewood College and Dominican University played to a 0-0 tie in River Forest. The winner will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament which begins the following weekend.
