ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Concordia University Chicago (CUC) men's soccer team began Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) action this afternoon as the Cougars traveled to Rockford University to play the Regents. It was a tight battle, with both squads leading at different points in the game, but CUC came out on the losing side of a 4-3 scoreline.
 
Inside the Box

• Juan Moresco (Mercedes, Soriano) and Caleb Kale (Moline, Ill.) each scored their first goal wearing the maroon and gold.
• Bernardo Delgado (Morelia, Michoacán) was involved in two goals this afternoon, scoring one and assisting Moresco.
• Nethan Gudiel (Chicago, Ill.) and Kyle Schultz (Pingree Grove, Ill.) each recorded two saves in net.

 
First Half

• The Cougars came out hot, prowling up the field quickly. Just over two minutes into the game, Moresco played a through ball down the line for Michael Senese (Naperville, Ill.), who sliced the ball low into the box for the oncoming Delgado to easily put into the back of the net for a 1-0 advantage.
• It took almost no time for the Cougars to double their lead as Moresco brought the ball up into the attacking third in the fifth minute. He quickly laid a pass off to Delgado and continued his run to the net. Delgado's sharp vision saw the continued run and split the defenders to give the ball back to Moresco, who dished it to the corner of the goal to go up 2-0.
• The Regents found their footing after CUC's second goal and started to put pressure on the Cougars' defense. Their persistence paid off in the 14^th minute, when they cut the lead down to 2-1.
• CUC didn't falter, continuing to press up the field with shots by Senese and Kale, but the Cougars were denied. This opened the door for Rockford to come back down the field and tie the game 2-2 in the 29^th minute.
• The Cougars continued to attack with shots from Matthew Laboy (Chicago, Ill.), Roman Klozik (New Lenox, Ill.), Justin Ocampo (Melrose Park, Ill.), Jesus Badillo (Tachira, Venezuela), and Kale but couldn't find the back of the net. Gudiel stood his ground in goal, making a save just before the whistle to keep the game 2-2 at halftime.

 
Second Half

• Out of the break, the Cougars immediately found their way into their offensive half, earning a corner kick and having Ocampo fire off back-to-back-to-back shots, but was ultimately stopped by the Regents' goalkeeper. Andre Wangandu (Lansing, Mich.) and Senese each challenged Rockford's goalkeeper as well but strong stops from the keeper kept the game level.
• It wasn't until the 59^th minute when the Regents would find a way to break the stalemate and go up 3-2.
• CUC continued to show its fighting spirit and kept pressing forward. The Cougars' persistence paid off in the 68^th minute. Kale received the ball and dribbled his way towards the box. With precision and skill, he cut inside onto his right foot and blasted the ball into the far side of the net, tying the game, 3-3.
• The level playing field was short lived as the Regents scored almost immediately after the Cougars to retake the lead, 4-3.
• Asael Castaneda (Bensenville, Ill.), Evin Perez (Crystal Lake, Ill.), and Senese each created opportunities for themselves up top as the Cougars battled until the final whistle but ultimately fell 4-3.

 
What's Next
The Cougars return to River Forest for their next match on Sunday September 21. CUC will host Milwaukee School of Engineering at 3:30 pm. Coverage for all things CUC men's soccer can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.