Box Score

LISLE, Ill. - The Benedictine University men's soccer team won a share of their first ever Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference title with a 3-2 victory over Marian University on Saturday night.

"Tonight was pretty special for us," said head coach Rich Nassif. "We won on Senior Night, and it's always great to send the seniors out in style. The victory locked up the top seed in the NACC Tournament and gives us a share of the NACC Regular Season title. I could not be happier for our guys when thinking about how far we have come in the last two seasons and to think we were picked seventh in the preseason polls. All that being said, we have bigger goals than what we've accomplished so far this season and have to stay focused on what is ahead of us."

Marian struck early to grab a 1-0 lead and put Benedictine behind. The goal scored in the seventh minute. Most of the first half was spent in the midfield as the team combined for just five shots.

Benedictine applied early pressure in the second and finally broke through in the 57th minute to even the game. Ante Markotic headed home a cross from Julio Lopez to even the game. Just over 20 minutes later another cross led to the go ahead marker. Anes Kadiric flicked home a cross from Hector Valencia in the 79th minute to put Benedictine ahead.

Markotic netted his second of the night and eighth of the season in the 83rd minute, finishing a rebound and punching it into the goal. Marian made it interesting late, scoring in the 86th minute to claw within a goal. The visitors also had plenty of late chances, but Zorohn Reed rose to the occasion. Reed made eight saves in the match including several leaping deflections. Marian held a 15-9 edge in shots.

"The game certainly was not a pretty one," Nassif added. "We conceded an early goal and a very late goal. Once again our guys responded to the challenge and did what we needed to do to earn three points. We'll face a difficult road match at Augustana on Tuesday, then have a chance to refresh and reflect, and start to work on some things that need attention heading into do-or-die time."

Benedictine will serve as the top seed in the NACC Tournament and owns a first round bye. The Eagles (9-7-1, 8-1-1) will wrap up the regular season with a road game at Augustana Tuesday.