Sept. 20, 2009
Box Score
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Sophomore Peter O'Neill's first goal of the season with just 2:11 remaining in regulation helped the 25th-ranked Northwestern men's soccer team escape with a 2-1 victory over Lafayette and the title at the Lakeside Classic Sunday afternoon at Lakeside Field.
The Wildcats and South Carolina each finished the weekend with 1-0-1 records, but Northwestern claimed the title based on recording two goals in their two matches to only one for the Gamecocks.
NU (3-1-2) dominated the match, out-shooting the Leopards 21-5 in the contest, but the Wildcats found themselves down a goal eight and a half minutes into the second half after Sean Peckham converted on a penalty kick.
Lafayette's (4-2-1) score came after Northwestern was unable to convert on a PK of its own in the first half as Matt Eliason was stopped by Philip Nelson. NU held a 7-1 edge in shots over the opening 45 minutes of play.
Just under five minutes after the visitors took the lead, the Wildcats were able to answer back with the tying score at the 58:13 mark. Northwestern earned a free kick 30 yards out and Mark Blades' service was flicked by Jack Hillgard to a waiting Oliver Kupe on the doorstep who was able to head the ball past Nelson to make it 1-1.
The match appeared headed for overtime, but NU had other ideas. A little over two minutes remained in the second half before Eliason fed the ball across the box to a waiting O'Neill who was waiting at the back post to beat Nelson for the winning score.
Misha Rosenthal made three saves in goal for Northwestern to earn the win. Eliason out-shot Lafayette 6-5 on his own with three of the shots on goal. Nelson made eight saves for the Leopards, while the team defense was credited with another stop.
Northwestern returns to action at 5 p.m. Friday as it hosts Drake at Lakeside Field.
Lakeside Classic All-Tournament Team
Oliver Kupe, Northwestern (MVP)
Peter O'Neill, Northwestern
Cody Stanley, Northwestern
Misha Rosenthal, Northwestern
Jimmy Maurer, South Carolina
Mario Burstein, South Carolina
Will Traynor, South Carolina
Luis De La Cerda, Northern Illinois
Josh Karsten, Northern Illinois
Sean Peckham, Lafayette
Nick Leigh, Lafayette