From University of Chicago Athletics
The University of Chicago men's soccer team scored in the waning minutes of the game to recapture the lead and win the match 2-1 over Benedictine University on Saturday.
The No. 5-ranked Maroons improved to 6-1-0 on the year while the Eagles fell to 3-4-0. It marked UChicago's 11th-straight victory against Benedictine.
Matthew Koh got UChicago on the board straight away in the third minute. The freshman forward rushed in on goal from the right side, saw his initial shot saved and then knocked in the rebound. Within two minutes, junior forward Brenton Desai hit the left post on a redirect from Koh.
The lone goal stood up through halftime as the home team led in shots 10-4 at the break. Desai appeared to double the lead when he scored in the 56th minute, but the play was called off due to offsides.
UChicago kept creating good chances with hard runs at the goalie in the second half. Koh was the main beneficiary with four shots on goal in the game. However, Benedictine tied the score at the 75:50 mark when Gio Ovalle dribbled through several defenders and scored a bouncing ball from the left side of the box.
The contest looked to be headed to overtime until UChicago put together some late-match magic. Freshman midfielder Max Lopez sent a through ball to freshman midfielder Nicco Capotosto, who then slipped it past the on-rushing keeper in the 84th minute.
The Maroons endeavored to salt the final minutes away, but Benedictine nearly struck again when Nick Kapetanos found himself wide open right in close on goal with 12 seconds remaining. However, he pushed his shot wide and the home team clinched the win.
Sophomore goalkeeper Hill Bonin (5-1-0) allowed one goal and made four saves on the day. UChicago led in both shots (18-9) and corner kicks (5-2) while posting 10 shots on goal.