Men’s soccer takes second in Lakeside Classic

By Ben Gross

While many students know NIU will play a football game in Evanston Saturday, few knew NIU played soccer this weekend in Evanston.

The men’s soccer team went 1-0-1 and finished second at the third annual Lakeside Classic.

The Huskies started the tournament with a 2-1 win Friday over St. Francis (Pa.). The win snapped a five-year losing streak to start the season.

The Huskies took an early lead with a goal at the 15:50 mark from junior forward Kevin Woerner. Junior defender Justin McGrane assisted on the goal.

The Huskies did not give up the lead.

Sophomore forward Curt Zastrow added to the Huskies’ tally when he scored the second, game-winning goal in the 63rd minute.

“Today our forwards were in form and that was very good to see,” assistant coach Ian Clerihew said after Friday’s game.

SFU tried to make a late comeback with a goal by Scott Thompson in the 75th minute, but The Red Flash could not create another scoring opportunity.

With a win on its back, the men’s team took on Western Kentucky Sunday to finish the tournament. After a long game that extended into two overtime sessions, the Huskies left Evanston with a tie against the Hilltoppers.