Box Score Sept. 20, 2014 – Concordia University Chicago's men's soccer team hosted Edgewood College in their Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference opener on Saturday. Because of scheduling conflicts, the game was played on the grass field of the Priory across the street from the stadium. After a lightning delay at the end of the pregame warmups, the Cougars gamely fought with a cohesive display of team effort but ultimately lost the match by a 3-2 score.

"We played well once we were down, but we can't afford to wait till we are three-nil down to start playing," said CUC head coach Micah Middendorf. "Overall, we showed resiliency and fought to the end. We controlled much of the match and the stats showed that created chances and outshot them."

In the first half, a wet grass field caused problems for both teams. But the Cougars got the worst of it early as they gave up a penalty kick that the Eagles converted in the 20^th minute. Just four minutes later, the Eagles scored again to double their advantage. In the 42^nd minute, Edgewood converted a third goal as they got on the end of a free kick.

The Cougars had an 11-8 advantage in shots for the first half despite the deficit, and additional Concordia-Chicago shots finally paid off as a counter attack was sparked by Brendan Mullane (Park Ridge, IL/Maine South). Mullane played DeAndre McLaurin (Joliet, IL/Joliet West) in on goal, and McLaurin converted to draw the Cougars within 3-1 just before the half.

There was more rain at the half, but the second half started on time. The Cougars extended their shot advantage by outshooting the Eagles 7-2 in the second frame. They scored in the 73^rd minute off a corner kick by Mullane that Martin Vargas (Cicero, IL/Morton East) was able to corral at the far post and play across the face of goal for McLaurin's second goal of the day and fourth on the season. However, the Eagles were able to run out the clock and escape with the 3-2 victory.

The Cougars' (2-2-2, 0-1-0 NACC) next game is another conference matchup on Tuesday as they face Aurora University.