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Photo Credits: Eric Decker
Photo Credits: Eric Decker
Posted: Sep 06, 2022

ONU OUTLAST AQ 3-2 IN NON-CONFERENCE FINALE

Box Score

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The RV Olivet Nazarene University men's soccer program picked up win number four on the campaign as they concluded their non-conference schedule with a 3-2 win over Aquinas College Tuesday night. Kurodo Ihara's goal in the 55th minute proved to be the difference. Justin Eisenmann provided all three assists for each goal on the night.


The Tigers dominated possession as Aquinas was comfortable inviting pressure with the intent to hit ONU on the break. The home side's patience paid off in the 14th minute as Eisenmann's hold up play allowed Max Jasper to run beyond the AQ backline. A deft touch over the Saint's netminder gave the Purple and Gold the early 1-0 lead.

Olivet continued to take the game to Aquinas leading to Jasper being brought down outside the box in a dangerous free-kick area. Eisenmann stepped up and curled a ball towards the top left corner forcing the goalkeeper into a full-stretched diving save. The netminder pushed the ball up against the crossbar and ultimately landed in the path of a crashing Benjamin Stuebelt for the close-range finish at the 39:39-mark.

Aquinas cut the lead in half only 15 seconds later as they converted on their second corner kick of the match. The Saints had another opportunity right before the half to level the score but it went wide.

 

Halftime: (RV) Olivet Nazarene 2, Aquinas 1


ONU picked up right where they left off in the first half. They regained their two-goal advantage in the 55th minute. Eisenmann rolled a ball across to Ihara seven yards outside the opponent's 18-yard box. The Japan native took two touches and then rifled a shot that knuckled past the Saints' keeper. Again, Aquinas had the quick response to make it a one-goal game. They scored their second goal from a corner kick in the 59th minute to keep the pressure on the Tigers.



The match began to simmer as the center official gave out nine yellow cards, seven of which were shown to the visitors including head coach Luke Ruff. Olivet maintained their composure and saw out the remaining minutes of the contest to win it 3-2.


GAME VITALS

Final: (RV) Olivet Nazarene 3, Aquinas 2

Records: Olivet Nazarene: 4-1 (0-0 CCAC) | Aquinas College 3-2 (0-0 CAC)

Location: Snowbarger Athletic Complex | Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais, Ill.

QUICK HITS

  • ONU outshot AQ 15-9 in the contest.
  • Jasper has extended his point streak to five matches.
  • Eisenmann tied a career record of three assists in a match (Sep. 21, 2021, vs. TCC; W 5-0)
  • Mike Giannotta recorded three saves on the night.

 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Tigers begin their CCAC conference schedule as they hit the road traveling to IU-Northwest on Friday, Sep. 9 at 6 p.m. CT. Please visit onutigers.com for all the links to follow along.

 

—ONU—

 

*Contact: Patrick Kaindl, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, pkaindl@olivet.edu