RIVER FOREST, Ill. – The Bulldog men’s soccer team has now gone more than 206 minutes without allowing a goal after a second straight shutout. In Friday’s action in River Forest, Ill., CUNE toppled Concordia University-Chicago, 2-0. The host Cougars are a member of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference of NCAA Division III.
Tenth-year head coach Jason Weides’ squad remains unbeaten at 3-0. The Bulldogs have also claimed wins over Sterling College and York College. The only downside from the past two wins was an inability to finish more of their chances in the box.
“There were a lot of really good things to feel positive about,” Weides said. “We created a ton of chances and did pretty well defensively. We didn’t give them many chances. We created so many that we really should have scored a few more. We haven’t quite learned how to see out a lead.”
Thanks to the play of goalkeeper Jack Bennett (second straight shutout) and the back line, the Bulldogs could get away with a lack of a finishing touch on the attack. CUNE held CUC to nine shots, including only five on goal. The Bulldogs even dodged a bullet in an unusual sequence in the second half that saw Bennett save a penalty kick only to be called for a foul on the rebound. The ensuing PK missed wide, preserving the shutout and a 2-0 lead.
Thirteen different CUNE players contributed to the team’s shot count of 28 (13 on goal). Bulldog goals came courtesy of Toby Down (19’) and Garrett Perry (72’). An assist was credited to Marcelo Hernandez on the first goal. Hernandez and Matthew Ho equaled a team high with four shots apiece.
CUNE is hoping to prove it’s the best among the Concordias, while also soaking up a memorable experience. Not since the 1990s has there been such a gathering of Concordia men’s soccer programs.
“It definitely feels different,” Weides said. “It started off this morning with a chapel service where all the teams got together and had kind of like an opening ceremony. I think our guys are really excited about the moment. I’ve had a lot of alums over the last 10 years ask me about playing a soccer CIT. We told them we don’t know when and if this will happen again and to relish the opportunity.”
Friday marked the opening of the 2017 season for CU-Chicago. The Cougars went 3-13 overall in 2016. The highlight for CUC on Friday was the play of keeper Roberto Aragon, who made 11 saves to allow his team to hang in the game.
The Bulldogs will remain in the Windy City overnight in preparation for Saturday’s 11:45 a.m. kickoff against Concordia University, Wisconsin. Also a member of the NACC, CUW defeat Concordia University, Ann Arbor, 2-0, on Friday. The Falcons are coming off a 13-5 season in 2016. Each of this weekend’s games can be streamed live at: https://cuchicago.edu/live.