From University of Chicago Athletics
Two goals in the final eight minutes of the game lifted the University of Chicago men's soccer team to a 2-1 comeback victory versus New York University on Friday.
The Maroons improved to 9-5-2 overall and 3-0-2 in the University Athletic Association (UAA). The Violets dropped to 11-4-0 overall and 2-3-0 in conference play.
Rough weather turned out to be a major factor that effected game play. Rain turned into sleet, and sleet turned into hail over the course of the first half of play. Wind gusts of 20-30 miles per hour howled across the length of the turf field. Long passes and clearances in the air were blown all over the pitch.
The Violets had the wind at their backs in the first half and held a 7-1 shot advantage in that time. NYU fired off a couple shots from 30 yard out, but UChicago freshman goalkeeper Hill Bonin came up with the ball each time. The two teams went into halftime scoreless.
In the second half, the Maroons gained the windy benefit. However, NYU's Malcolm Montilus received the ball on a breakaway and scored in front from 10 yards out in the 49th minute. It marked the first goal the Maroons had allowed in five conference contests.
UChicago shook off the setback and kept working for an equalizer. Sophomore defender DJ Weis came close by hitting the right post on a header in the 70th minute. With time running out, senior forward Kyle Kurfirst delivered with a header goal at the 82:45 mark off two quick passes from Weis and sophomore midfielder Chris Mathis. Kurfirst leads the team with seven goals on the year.
The Maroons avoided overtime and clinched the win with just over a minute left on the game clock. Freshman midfielder Andre Abedian collected a loose ball in the box and booted it into the back of the net for his third goal of the season.
UChicago's wind advantage helped produce 10 shots, and the home team led the shots category overall 11-9. Corner kicks were also in the home side's favor at 5-3. Bonin ran his record to 7-2-2, making three saves and surrendering one goal.