Box Score Sept. 7, 2014 – The Concordia University Chicago men's soccer team hosted MacMurray College on Sunday afternoon. A solid 4-1 victory marked the second year in a row that CUC men's soccer has started the season 2-0.

 "We have a ways to go but were better in possession this game," said CUC head coach Micah Middendorf. "The team is starting to put things together and improve. Manny Valdez (Cicero, IL/St. Joseph) was good for us today as he made those forward runs from the outside back position that are necessary to break open a defense. His ability and willingness to make those 60-to-80 yard runs all game show his improvement and maturity as a senior."

The game started brightly for the Cougars as seniors Brendan Mullane (Park Ridge, IL/Maine South) and Manny Valdez (Cicero, IL/St Joseph) combined for an early goal just minutes into the contest. Mullane raced down the left wing and crossed into the center of the box where a charging Valdez one-touched the ball past MC keeper Tyler Marfo into the net.

The Cougars controlled much of the rest of the first half outshooting MacMurray 11-5. They created a number of good chances through the rest of the half, but weren't quite able to break open the game.

Five minutes into the second half, Valdez struck again for his second goal of the game extending the CUC lead to 2-0. Valdez's shot from outside the right side of the box surprised the MacMurray defense, clanging off the left post and into the back of the net. Concordia-Chicago kept the pressure on and 10 minutes later, it paid off. Senior DeAndre McLaurin (Joliet, IL/Joliet West) forced a turnover in the back line and raced in alone on goal to make it 3-0.

A foul in the box on a corner kick gave MacMurray a penalty kick, which Mason Rowe buried to give them momentary hopes of a comeback. However, senior Dylan Pavlisin (Orange, CA/Orange Lutheran) moved up the field and immediately created three chances for teammates. In the 75^th minute, he extinguished hope by dribbling four players and poking the ball by the goalkeeper for the final 4-1 margin.

The next match for the Cougars is at Illinois College on Saturday, Sept. 13.. This will be their first road test of the season.