Box Score

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The Benedictine University men's soccer team solidified their hold on the top slot in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference by scoring a 2-1 win over regionally ranked MSOE on the road Saturday.

"Today was a really gritty effort on our part," head coach Rich Nassif stated. "It wasn't prety at times but to limit MSOE to very few quality looks credit our entire squad and the team mentality we have now. On the flip side, we continue to have guys step up in big moments."

MSOE, ranked eighth in the NSCAA Central Region Poll, opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a marker on a header following a cross. Benedictine wasted no time in tying the game, responding 20 seconds later on a long cross from Anes Kadiric to Julio Lopez from the sideline that found its way in off the post.

"We did not get a complete performance today which is a bit disappointing," Nassif said. "I thought if we had come out as sharp as we did against North Park we really could have played more positive and made it easy on ourselves. When the central midfield played well we were very dangerous. I think it says a lot that we had a subpar performance and still came away with a road victory."

The contest was delayed for over an hour due to lightning with the match still even, but after the delay the game winner scored in the 39th minute as Lopez and Jonny Lehman combined to feed Kadiric on a header.

The second half so plenty of action but both teams played stout defensively to keep the score at 2-1. MSOE held a 19-12 lead in shots with eight coming in the second half. Kadiric totaled four shots for Benedictine. Zorohn Reed stopped a pair of shots in net.

Benedictine (6-5-1, 5-0-1) is now the lone unbeaten team remaining in the NACC. The Eagles continue conference play on Tuesday at Concordia Chicago.

"For now, it definitely feels great to be in control of the conference after six contests," Nassif added. "The guys are really seeing their hard work and belief in each other pay off and that's one of the best things a coach can ask for."