From University of Chicago Athletics
Facing a deficit late in the match, the No. 18-ranked University of Chicago men's soccer team exploded for three goals in the final 16 minutes to beat North Park University 3-1 on Wednesday.
The Maroons are off to their first 4-0-0 start to a season since 2005. The Vikings fell to 3-1-0.
The first half featured runs by both teams, but neither side was able to finish the chances on goal. The closest call came with 40 seconds left when the Vikings corralled an aerial ball off a deflection for an open shot. But the ball pushed left of the goalmouth to leave the score knotted at 0-0.
North Park broke onto the scoreboard with an impressive goal from leading scorer Pedram Tahmi-Masoleh. The junior dribbled through multiple defenders, struck a sudden shot from the far right side and netted the score from 30 yards out at 67:52.
Down 1-0, UChicago found renewed vigor and pushed its agenda offensively. In the 75th minute, junior defender George Voulgaris made a big slide tackle and popped up with the ball cleanly to jump start a counter attack. His long pass into the attacking third went to freshman forward Matthew Koh, who sent a centering pass in front of the goal. Midfielder Max Lopez was left unmarked and the freshman roofed the ball into the top of the netting with a swinging-door right leg to tie the score.
In the 82nd minute, a scramble in the box went in UChicago's favor. Junior forward Brenton Desai pounced on the loose ball and put the home team in front 2-1. The assists on the play went to Koh and freshman midfielder Nicco Capotosto.
The Maroons clung to the lead in the final minutes before Desai added a final insurance goal at 88:01. Senior midfielder Jorge Bilbao connected a pass to Desai, who exploited the back-pedaling defense with a small deke and a left-footed strike past the diving goalkeeper. The goals were Desai's fourth and fifth of the season.
Total shots (15-10) and corner kicks (7-3) both went in favor of the Maroons. Sophomore goalkeeper Hill Bonin improved to 4-0-0 on the year with three saves and one goal allowed.