VERONA, Wis. – Senior Kelmend Isaj found the back of the net in the 79th minute of play to lift the Edgewood College men's soccer team to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Ripon College in the Eagles first game at Reddan Soccer Park. With Isaj's game-winner, the Eagles captured their first victory of the 2014 season.

Leading 1-0 and controlling most of the second half action, it seemed likely Edgewood College (1-3) would hold on for a victory. However, the game turned in the 72nd minute when Ripon College (1-3-1) earned their second corner kick of the match. Josh Luna served a perfect ball to Perry Poulos on the six-yard line, who headed home the tying score.

Fortunately, the Eagles began to press their advantage even harder. In the 79th minute Jake Owen attempted to thread the ball through the Red Hawks back line. A defender got a piece of it, but not enough to keep it from a hard charging Isaj who picked up the ball about 25 yards from net. Isaj took one touch and then punched home a low shot to the bottom left corner for the decisive goal. It was Isaj's 16th career goal and ninth game winner of his career.

Edgewood College gained the lead in the 20th minute on Alexander Ribeiro's first goal of the season. Xander Bebber picked up a deflected ball just off the penalty arc and slotted it left to Ribeiro. The senior blasted a shot directly at Ripon goalkeeper Cody Messerschmidt's head. Messerschmidt got both hands on the ball, but the force of the shot carried through his gloves and the ball trickled in for a 1-0 Eagles lead.

The Eagles outshot the Red Hawks heavily by a 21-3 margin and managed to put seven shots on net. Edgewood College senior goalkeeper Matt Dammen earned his first win of the season and 14th of his career.

The Eagles will return to action next Sunday, returning to Reddan Soccer Park, one of their two temporary home fields this season. Edgewood College will host another Midwest Conference opponent Lake Forest College at 3:30 p.m.