Box Score Oct. 15, 2013 - Coming off a tough, wet weekend game vaersus Lakeland College, the Concordia-Chicago men's soccer team was ready to get back on the field. The weather was again rainy and windy as they faced NACC-leading Benedictine University who recently upset Dominican University for DU's first conference loss in 104 games. The Cougars were game to challenge the Eagles, but it was Benedictine that left the stadium after 90 minutes with a 2-0 victory.

Concordia head coach Micah Middendorf said, "We knew it would be a tough game as Benedictine is tough and doesn't make many mistakes. Unfortunately, we gave up a poor clearance and they capitalized for the game winner."

The fans in attendance were treated to a back and forth game. Both teams seemed intent on avoiding mistakes defensively and countering quickly when the opportunity presented itself.

As the game went up and down the field, Benedictine was able to score in the 15^th minute on Jonny Lehman's rocket from the left side. Much of the credit for CUC's defensive effort went to the trio in the middle of the field. Freshman Braulio Balcorta (El Paso, TX/Socorro), junior Dylan Pavlison (Villa Park, CA/Orange Lutheran), and junior Manny Valdez (Broookfield, IL/St Joseph's) formed a partnership that pushed the Eagles to the width of the field.

The Cougars turned it on the pressure in the second half and had 4 shots on goal to only 2 for the Eagles. Unfortunately, another shot by Lehman went in for Benedictine to account for the final margin. The corner kick count was also in favor of the Cougars in the second half as they forced the run of play. Up front, freshman Adam Perolio (Ft Wayne, IN/Bishop Luers), junior DeAndre McLaurin (Joliet, IL/Joliet West), and junior Brendan Mullane (Park Ridge, IL/Maine South) were very active. Perolio forced a number of desperate recovery runs from the Eagles defenders as he played in dangerous balls from the width while McLaurin harassed the Benedictine backs into turnovers. Several of those turnovers led to fast break opportunities for the Cougars.

The Cougars' best chance in the match came when the score was still at 1-0. A misplayed clearance came out to Perolio on the right side with the goalkeeper seemingly out of position. However, Zohron Reed recovered quickly and threw himself in front of the ball to block it and save what looked to be a certain tying goal.

Middendorf said after the match, "Our energy was better in this game and we were able to play a number of players without a drop in play. I think the second half showed what we can do as we forced their keeper into a number of tough saves."

Both keepers, Concordia's Roberto Aragon (Cicero, IL/Morton East) and Benedictine's Reed were credited with five saves.

The Cougars (4-10-0, 1-5-0 NACC) will return to action on Thursday afternoon when they host Maranatha Baptist Bible College in non-conference play beginning at 3 p.m.