Sept. 26, 2012 - The Concordia men's soccer team put it all together this evening, notching their first victory of the 2012 season against Benedictine University. A three-goal explosion in the second half let the Cougars post the 4-1 win at the BU Sport Complex in Lisle.

For the second straight game, DeAndre McLaurin (Joliet, IL/Joliet West) gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead midway through the first half. McLaurin took a pass from the right side by Tyler Nehmer (Milwaukee, WI/Milwaukee Lutheran) and one-timed it past the Eagles' keeper.

The Cougars began to open it up in the second half. Nehmer struck for his first goal of the year on an unassisted tally in the 54th minute. He possessed the ball on the right side, dribbled in and blasted a 20-yard shot inside the far post.

McLaurin followed up with his second of the match and third of the season in the 59th minute. The Cougars caught the Eagles on a counter-attack, and McLaurin charged up the middle, beating two defenders before his 15-yard shot found the back of the net.

Just 33 seconds after McLaurin made it a 3-0 lead, Benedictine's Julio Lopez put the home team on the board off an assist from Matt Ahrens. The goal generated some momentum for the Eagles, but Jorge Guzman (Cicero, IL/Morton East) kept the score at 3-1 with a couple of key saves. The Cougars also had a little luck on their side as a shot by Lupe Martinez in the 80th minute hit the post.

Concordia finally put the game away with an 84th minute goal. The Cougars were awarded only their second corner kick of the night. Alex Lopez (Streamwood, IL/H.S.) took the kick, and his cross found Christian Elizondo (Cicero, IL/Morton East) in front. The junior headed the ball past Zorohn Reed to close the book on a well-earned win.

Guzman earned the win with a total of eight saves, five coming in the second half. The Cougars and Eagles each took 12 shots with Reed making three saves.

Concordia (1-7-1, 1-2-1) will look to extend its unbeaten streak to three on Saturday afternoon when they host Lakeland College.