Men’s soccer: Tale of two halves in 3-2 loss at North Park
The Olivet College men’s soccer team led North Park (Ill.) University, 2-0, at halftime before the Vikings scored three unanswered goals in the second half to beat the Comets, 3-2, tonight at Holmgren Field in Chicago.
CHICAGO, Ill. – The Olivet College men's soccer team led North Park (Ill.) University, 2-0, at halftime before the Vikings scored three unanswered goals in the second half to beat the Comets, 3-2, tonight at Holmgren Field in Chicago.
Olivet took an early 1-0 lead on a goal from 25 yards out by junior Cory Werner-Hoskins in the 10th minute. Senior Jared Wilson-Santos was credited with an assist on the goal. The Comets extended their lead to 2-0 in the 40th minute after sophomore Greg Petty converted a penalty kick goal. The PK was called after a North Park player was whistled for a hand ball in the box.
The Vikings trimmed their deficit down to 2-1 when Pedram Tahmi-Masoleh made a penalty kick goal only one minute and 49 seconds into the second half. North Park scored the equalize "er in the 53rd minute when Przemyslaw Zabielski found the lower corner of the net. Tahmi-Masoleh scored what proved to be the game-winning tally for the Vikings in the 59th minute.
For the game, Olivet was out-shot 26-15, including 12-6 in shots-on-goal. Werner-Hoskins led the way with five shots, followed by senior Jon Puente with three. Junior Ryan Grashik and senior Alex Lang split time in net.
"It was definitely a game of two halves," said Olivet Head Coach Dan Bulley. "We dominated the first half, which is something we have not done all season. We were up 2-0 and seemingly cruising against No. 17 North Park. A mistake at the back led to a penalty kick to North Park early in the second half. It was a deserved penalty but our player was issued a red card undeservedly and that turned out to be a game-changing moment.
"I have to give credit to Coach Born for his team's efforts and never say die attitude. They are a very good team and our goal is to see them again down the road."
The Comets will stay in Illinois tonight and will play University of Chicago tomorrow afternoon at 4:30 p.m. ET.
"I have an upset bunch of lads but we will lick our wounds and get ourselves mentally ready for tomorrow's game against U of Chicago," said Bulley. "I believe we will be 100 percent ready for it."