Sept. 18, 2012 - This afternoon's 2-0 loss to the visiting Milwaukee School of Engineering was one of the tougher losses for the Concordia-Chicago men's soccer team to digest. The Cougars battled the Raiders on even terms for the first 60 minutes behind a sterling effort in net by sophomore Jorge Guzman (Cicero, IL/Morton East). However, the Raiders were able to solve the Cougar defense for two goals in a five-minute span to earn the decision.

The visitors controlled much of the play in the first half with a 14-3 advantage in shots, but Guzman kept MSOE off the scoresheet. Among his nine saves was a spectacular effort in which he dove to his left to tip a close-in shot by Drew Porter over the crossbar.

On the other end of the field, Garrett Farin saved a shot by Brendan Mullane (Park Ridge, IL/Maine South) from the right side. Mullane and Alex Lopez (Streamwood, IL/H.S.) had quality chances from the middle that were blocked by the defenders.

Early in the second half, Michael Amezcua (Cicero, IL/Morton East) had his shot saved by Farin. In the 58th minute, it was Guzman's turn to come up with the save as he denied Logan Andryk. Moments later, the Cougar defense did well to block Jordan Werner's shot, but the block allowed MSOE a corner kick.

Tyler Leis took the corner from the right side. The ball skipped in front into a huge crowd but it was Noah Cordell-Wild that poked the loose ball behind Guzman for the first goal of the match.

One minute after the goal, the Cougars just missed equalizing. Daniel Ortiz (Cicero, IL/Morton East) headed a cross from the left side that sailed over the crossbar.

In the 66th minute, MSOE came up with the crossbar. Jordan Werner ran onto a pass from Cordell-Wild, worked his way around Guzman and curled the ball around defender DeAndre McLaurin (Joliet, IL.Joliet West) inside the far post.

The Cougars continued to press and created some opportunities, but Farin was up to the task in saving shots from Lopez and Hector Godinez (Indian Head Park, IL/Lyons Township).

Guzman finished with nine saves among the Raiders' 24 shots. his counterpart Farin saved five of the Cougars' 11 shots.

Concordia (0-7, 0-2 NAC) returns to action Saturday afternoon to host Marian University.