Olinger scores first collegiate goal in 2-1 loss to Chicago

The Olivet College men’s soccer team allowed two penalty kick goals in a 2-1 loss to University of Chicago (Ill.) this afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex.

Box Score

Team Stats

Olinger scores first collegiate goal in 2-1 loss to Chicago
September 3, 2015

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College men's soccer team allowed two penalty kick goals in a 2-1 loss to University of Chicago (Ill.) this afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex. The teams battled through a weather delay of almost two hours at the start of the game and another 30-minute lightning delay with around 10 minutes left in the first half.

After the lightning delay, Brenton-Neal Desai made the Maroons' first penalty kick in the 39th minute. The Comets quickly answered 69 seconds later when freshman Jason Olinger headed the ball into the goal off a feed from junior Evan Schlaud. The points were the first in an Olivet uniform for both players.

"With the weather stoppages, I thought our guys handled themselves pretty well," said head coach Dan Bulley. "We came out the blocks evenly against a strong Chicago team who was ranked in the top 20 earlier this week. We showed great character to respond from being a goal down with a fine goal moments later from freshman Jason Olinger after a superb delivery from Evan Schlaud."

Desai converted his second penalty kick of the game in the 16th minute of the second half. The Comets' best chance to score the equalizer came in the 72nd minute. Freshman Charles Griggs fired a low shot at the far post, which went wide of the net.

Olivet totaled 10 shots in the game, placing half on-frame. Ten different players each had a shot. Senior goalkeeper Ryan Grashik was in net for the entire game, facing 17 shots and making five saves.

"Our young lads put up a solid fight and worked their socks off today and showed we can play against the big boys," said Bulley. "Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be our day and Chicago did a nice job of handling the ball and deserved the win and what I though was a fair score line."

The Comets will play their third game this week when they travel to Dominican (Ill.) University for at 1 p.m. CST contest. Dominican enters the game with a 0-1 record following a 1-0 loss to Chicago on Tuesday night.