Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play is rapidly approaching for the Benedictine University men's soccer team. The Eagles have just one non-conference matchup remaining before NACC play begins, as the team will play at North Central College on Thursday before opening the NACC slate on Saturday on Homecoming against Wisconsin Lutheran.
The team, which currently holds a record of 1-4-1, is coming off of two close losses at the Village of Lisle/Benedictine University Sports Complex against two College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin schools. Last Wednesday, the Eagles fell to Illinois Wesleyan 2-1 in overtime despite
Anes Kadiric scoring a game-tying goal in the game's final minute. Saturday, BenU lost to Augustana by the same score, with
Ante Markotic giving the team its lone tally.
Thursday: at North Central College (3-2-1), 7:00 p.m
Benedictine's non-conference schedule is filled with CCIW schools. The team's faced three already, and North Central college will be BenU's fourth and final opponent from the nearby conference. Located just five minutes west of Benedictine down Maple Avenue, North Central boasts a 3-2-1 record on the season. The Cardinals are currently ranked eighth in the Central Region in the National Collegiate Soccer Coaches Association of America's latest rankings, as the team narrowly lost to nationally-ranked Hope College to open the season and defeated eight-time NACC Tournament champion Dominican on September 3.
The Eagles and Cardinals met last season, with the Cardinals coming out on top 3-0. Prior to that, the two schools last met in Lisle in 2009, with the Eagles winning 1-0. Benedictine last defeated North Central in 2006 with a 5-2 victory.
Saturday: Homecoming vs. Wisconsin Lutheran (5-3), 2:30 p.m.
Saturday looks to be an important day for BenU Athletics. Not only is it Homecoming and three home athletic events are scheduled at the Sports Complex, but it is also the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference opener for both soccer teams. Men's soccer opposes Wisconsin Lutheran in the late afternoon, giving the Eagles a chance to defeat one of only two NACC teams the team failed to beat last season. Wisconsin Lutheran played BenU to a 0-0 tie in Milwaukee last season, outshooting BenU 10-8.
The Warriors are off to a strong start this season, holding a record of 5-3. Wisconsin Lutheran's record is supported by a four-game winning streak, as the team won all of its contests between September 5 and September 14. One of the three Warriors losses came against the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, a team that the Eagles defeated 2-0 on September 7.
