VERONA, Wis. – Full of confidence from a 5-2 record in non-conference play, the Edgewood College men's soccer team faced MSOE on the opening night of the NACC season. With a 3-2 defeat to MSOE, the Eagles saw their three-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday night, despite a strong offensive effort in the second half.
MSOE (5-2, 1-0 NACC) was quick to strike first, scoring in the 4th minute of the contest. The Raiders leading scorer Rade Novakovich scored his eighth goal of the season off an assist from Joey Schauer. After the early goal, both teams were unable to score again for 35 minutes. The Eagles and Raiders battled back and forth, taking 10 total corner kicks and 10 total shots before the Eagles were able to even up the score. In the 40th minute, Edgewood College (5-3, 0-1 NACC) senior Garrett Lee was finally able to convert a corner kick from Aldon Lumani into a goal. Lee scored his seventh goal of the season with a beautiful diving header off the right goal post.
The Raiders took the lead in the final seven seconds of the first half, as Joey Schauer netted the second MSOE goal off a corner kick from teammate Konrad Knap. MSOE would score once more in the contest, as the combination of Schauer and Novakovich scored the Raiders third goal. Within the first 46 seconds of the second half Joey Schauer found the back of the net for his second goal of the contest. Schauer was assisted by Rade Novakovich as he blasted the ball from 15 feet out.
The final goal of the contest came in the 50th minute off the foot of Zander Hartberg. The Eagles offense put together a picture perfect run, as Tyler Nelson came down the right side of the field and connected with Victor Lombardino who quickly found Hartberg. From five feet out Hartberg scored his third goal of the season. Despite taking eight more shots in the final 40 minutes of the second half the Eagles were unable to score again.
Eagle goalkeeper Dan Dombrowski made three saves in the loss. Garrett Lee led the Eagles with five shots including three on goal, while Scott Biancofiori and Hartberg took three shots a piece. The Raiders and Eagles each took 18 total shots in the match.
Edgewood College will return to action on Saturday. The Eagles will travel to Aurora University for a 6:30 p.m. match at Spartan Athletic Park in Montgomery, Ill.
