Decatur, IL – Millikin men's soccer returned to Frank M. Lindsay Field Wednesday night for the first time since a Sept. 19 victory over Rockford, welcoming the North Central Cardinals to campus. In a low-scoring affair, the Cardinals found the back of net twice to hand the Big Blue a 2-0 loss. With the loss, Millikin slides to 5-6-1 (1-3-0), while North Central improves to 8-2-2 (2-0-1).
The Cardinals controlled much of the first half, outshooting the Big Blue, 8-2. North Central broke through in the 39th minute when a Cardinals throw-in bounced off several players before finding Joseph Sargent. Sargent knocked the ball towards the net, where it deflected off a Millikin player and into the top-right corner of the goal to give North Central a 1-0 lead.
The Big Blue came out quick to start the second half with three shots within in the first ten minutes. Millikin continued to keep the pressure on with five more shots throughout the second half, including three shots on goal by
Matthew Hart,
Bryce Davis, and
Blake Helvey.
The Cardinals added an insurance goal in the 88th minute when Eltayeb Mahmoud connected with Ivan Hooshmand on a long pass, extending North Central's lead to two. Millikin continued to fight through the final minutes but ultimately ran out of time.
"Tonight was a game of moments and tonight they didn't swing our way," said Head Coach
Charlie Ward. "We showed quality play at times; we just have to keep fighting."
Men's soccer looks to rebound Saturday, Oct. 10 against the Elmhurst Bluejays. Kickoff is currently set for 4:30 p.m. at Frank M. Lindsay Field, with the match streamed live on the CCIW Network.
