Sept. 14, 2016 - After gaining momentum through victories in their last two matches, the Concordia-Chicago men's soccer team faced their stiffest test of the young season this evening. The Millikin University Big Blue entered play 3-0-0 having outscored their opponents 15-2. The Cougars stood tall against the hosts for much of the game, but a Big Blue goal in the 62nd minute saw the proverbial dam break, and Millikin would finish with a 5-0 win.

Millikin pressured from the opening kickoff, but CUC created a few first-half chances themselves. Dan Krajewski (Addison, IL/Addison Trail) had an opportunity just three minutes in but shot wide of the goal. Later in the half, Fabian Robles (Cicero, IL/St. Joseph) and Diego Ramirez (Chicago, IL/Lincoln Park) forced MU keeper Trevor Creek to make saves and keep the game scoreless. Meanwhile, Roberto Aragon (Cicero, IL/Morton East) served as a brick wall in front of the Cougars' goal as he made six saves out of the Big Blue's 13 shots.

The Big Blue continued to  attack, and their pressure finally paid off in the 63rd minute. Ben Spelman, who was twice denied by Aragon, got his opportunity from vclose range and buried the ball into the net to take the 1-0 lead. 

Grant Manor's (New Hartford, CT/home schooled) potential game-tying shot just two minutes after Spelman's goal was saved by Creek. Millikin's Patrick Dolan then scored a key insurance goal in the 70th minute when he was sent in on a breakaway and beat Aragon low. The game then got out of reach as Millikin added goals in the 75th, 78th and 83rd minutes for the final margin.

The Big Blue finished the match with a 29-8 advantage in shots. Aragon made 11 saves while Creek stopped seven.

The Cougars (2-3-0) will return home to open Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play on Sunday afternoon. They will take on Marian University with kickoff scheduled for 30 minutes after the conclusion of the women's game (approximately 3:30).