Sept. 11, 2016 - After going scoreless for 200 minutes to start the season, the offense for the Concordia-Chicago men's soccer team is clicking. The Cougars have scored seven goals in their last two games and, not coincidentally, have won both. Today's home opener saw Daniel Krajewski (Addison, IL/Addison Trail) score a pair of goals in leading CUC past Illinois College by a 3-2 score.

All three goals today were scored against the run of play. Roberto Avila (Cicero, IL/Morton East) had the first scoring chance of the game, but his direct kick from 30 yards out was saved by the Blueboys' keeper. Illinois College then had the next several chances, but CUC held firm behind the play of the defenders and keeper Zachary Adamec (Louisville, KY/Butler Traditional), who was making his first start of 2016.

With Illinois College carrying most of the play, it was Concordia-Chicago that struck first in the 28th minute. Krajewski controlled the ball in the middle of the pitch, shook a defender and came in straight at Ty Clearwater. As the advancing Clearwater drew closer, Krajewski slipped the ball low to the keeper's left, and the ball rolled into the net for the 1-0 lead.

The Cougars rode the momentum of the opening score for the next few minutes, but the Blueboys got up off the mat and evened the score in the 34th minute. Ryan May scored in front of the goal for his second of the season. However, the tie did not last long as the Cougars got a lucky break in the 38th minute. An attempted clearance caromed off Dillen Mayfield (Warrenton, MO/H.S.) and, with the keeper out of position, sailed into the back of the net. Mayfield's first collegiate goal held up for the rest of the half as the Cougars went to the break with the 2-1 lead.

In the first 10 minutes of the second half were played in the Blueboys' attack zone but, once again, it was the Cougars that came up with the goal. Krajewski took the ball inside the right sideline and accelerated past a defender as he angled in toward the goal.As Clearwater came out to cut down the angle, Krajewski shot low again, this time to the keeper's right and inside the far post for a 3-1 lead.

Illinois College would not make it easy, however. They pulled back a goal in the 65th minute as Brock Zeigemeier received a through pass in the box and beat Adamec from close range. The Blueboys had a couple of chances for the tying goal, one coming when May's shot in the 80th minute was saved by Adamec. However, the Cougars' defense held tough down the stretch, and the final horn soon sounded as Concordia-Chicago celebrated another exciting one-goal win.

"This was a good game to win, not only because it was our first home match but also to continue our progress," said CUC head coach Micah Middendorf. "We're learning how to protect a lead and close out games. As we continue to take care of the little things, we'll see the positive results add up."

The Cougars (2-2-0) will play a fifth straight non-conference game on Wednesday night when they travel to Millikin University in Decatur, IL. Conference play opens next weekend when CUC will host Marian University.