MADISON, Wis. – There's no doubt about it. This one might take a while to get over. In a span of two minutes in the second half, Edgewood College watched their 1-0 lead turn into a 2-1 deficit, in what amounted to a play-in game with Marian University for a spot in the NACC Tournament. The Eagles season ended with a record of 10-7, 5-5 in the NACC, their highest win total in four seasons.
With the winner of the game poised to claim a bid to the postseason, Edgewood College controlled the majority of the possession in the first half against Marian University (10-8, 5-5 NACC). However, possession yielded few opportunities, as the Eagles outshot the Sabres 5-1 in the half.
The game turned dramatically in the 50th minute. Nicholas Bilodeau fired a hard shot, that was saved by Marian goalkeeper Ian Chacon. While attempting to cover up the rebound, Chacon collided with an Eagle player and a Marian defender. Chacon left the game temporarily to be evaluated by the athletic training staff.
While Chacon was out, the Eagles took advantage. Jordan Stark picked up a ball in the middle of the field and slid it to a cutting Bilodeau, who ripped a shot past Sabre backup goalkeeper Cory Koehler. On Bilodeau's fourth goal of the season, the Eagles had a 1-0 lead, and a cushion knowing that a tie would also send them to the NACC Tournament.
The Eagles' postseason dreams unraveled beginning in the 70th minute. Marian's Eric Rodriguez scored off a pass from Muhammed Abshir to tie the game at 1-1. Just 1:42 seconds later, Cade Klusendorf fired a shot from the corner of the box, which took a slight redirection off an Eagle defender and sailed over the head of Eagles goalkeeper Dan Dombrowski and into the net.
The Eagles sent men forward to try and tie the match and fired four shots in the final 18 minutes. A strong header from Victor Lombardino ended up in the arms of Chacon, as did a shot from Garrett Lee. Henry Simon's header off Lee's corner kick slid just outside the post in the 83rd minute.
The match marked the final game for five Edgewood College seniors, Lee, Zachary Greenwood-Schaftary, Zander Rothering, Zach Jaske and Luke Miller.
