Men’s soccer moves to 4-1 after 2-OT win

By Christopher Loggins

Men’s soccer moved to 4-1 on the year after a two-overtime 3-2 victory over Marquette, which moved to 3-2-1 following the loss.

The Huskies got on the board first after they scored on a goal by sophomore midfielder Giovanni Garcia, his first of the season and his career. He was assisted on the play by freshman forward Adrian Coardos.

The Eagles responded with a goal of their own in the 43rd minute. tying the game at 1-1 after sophomore midfielder Alex McBride assisted senior forward Kelmend Islami for Islami’s fourth goal on the year in just six games.

In the second period, Marquette took the lead in the 81st minute after senior forward David Selvaggi scored his second goal of the season. He was assisted by junior defender Jake Taylor on the play.

Eight minutes later, NIU sophomore defender Luke Read made another big play for the Huskies as he scored his third goal in three games on an assist from freshman defender Nixon Urrutia, tying the contest at 2-2.

The game headed into overtime as neither team was able to finish the job in regulation. Marquette outshot the Huskies 2-1 in the first extra period, but neither team could score, sending the game to a second overtime period.

NIU finally broke free in the 101st minute of the second overtime as junior defender Cody Witkowski assisted senior defender Taylor Cole for his first goal of the season, giving the Huskies the 3-2 win over the Eagles.

“I thought we did well in the first half to go up a goal,” said NIU head coach Eric Luzzi, according to an NIU Athletics news release. “I was pleased with the way we were playing and the way we were defending what they were trying to do, limiting their chances and creating some of our own.”

NIU will look to continue its good fortunes this week as it takes on Creighton at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in Omaha, Neb. Creighton has won five straight games and is undefeated. A win would give NIU its fourth in a row.