From University of Chicago Athletics
The University of Chicago men's soccer team shook off an early deficit and rounded into form to score twice in quick succession early in the second half to beat University of Rochester 2-1 on Saturday.
The No. 1-ranked Maroons maintained their perfect record at 12-0 and 2-0 in the University Athletic Association (UAA). The No. 4-ranked Yellowjackets (7-1-2, 0-1-1 UAA) were dealt their first loss of the season.
A loose ball scramble in the goalie box went against UChicago in the early going, as Rochester pounced once the ball came free from sprawled bodies and scored point blank in the 16th minute. With the lead in hand, the Yellowjackets sat back and looked for counter attack opportunities for the rest of the half. The Maroons were forced to build up slowly from the back line and struggled mightily to connect passes on the attack. The score remained 1-0 at the halftime break.
The tenor of the match changed in the second half. The hosts used speed to exploit holes in Rochester's defense and build up the attack at a quicker pace. In the 54th minute, UChicago earned a free kick in the left corner. After the centering kick was booted out of the box, freshman midfielder Nate Johnson popped a pass to the head of senior defender DJ Weis, who flicked the ball directly to defender Sam Drablos. The freshman got behind his defender and struck a sliding shot at the right post that eluded the goalkeeper for the equalizer – his second goal of the season.
Just over one minute later, freshman forward Dayo Adeosun managed to get the ball out from the midst of three defenders in the left corner. His pass into space was found by Johnson, who launched a rising strike that sailed over the goalkeeper's head before dipping at the end to deposit itself into the opposite corner from approximately 22 yards out. The eventual game-winner was Johnson's first collegiate goal.
The Yellowjackets pressed with vigor to tie, and long throw-ins from the sidelines tested UChicago's defense on a multitude of occasions. However, the Maroons avoided any real damage and came away the victors 2-1.
Hill Bonin improved the 12-0 with the win. The junior goalkeeper made two saves and allowed one goal in 90 minutes of action. UChicago led the shots category 11-7 while Rochester owned a 4-1 edge in corner kicks.