ONU BOWS OUT OF CCAC TOURNAMENT WITH 2-1 LOSS TO GOVERNORS STATE

CROWN POINT, Ind. - In a hard-fought Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) semifinal, Olivet Nazarene University's (ONU) men's soccer team came up short in a 2-1 road loss to Governors State University on Monday, bringing their season to an end. The Tigers battled from start to finish, but despite a late push, were unable to overcome the Jaguars' second-half lead.

Both teams entered the semifinal clash eager to secure a spot in the CCAC Championship. The first half saw disciplined defense from both sides, with neither team able to break through. The Tigers kept the Jaguars at bay, working tirelessly to limit scoring chances while looking for an opening to strike. The score remained locked at 0-0 as the teams headed into halftime, with ONU poised to make its mark in the final 45 minutes. 

The second half brought a shift in momentum as Governors State found the net in the 60th minute, putting them up 1-0 and igniting their offense. The Jaguars capitalized again in the 73rd minute, stretching their lead to 2-0 and forcing ONU into a pressing comeback effort. The Tigers fought back with resilience, and in the 82nd minute, Mounir Azzam delivered a much-needed goal with assists from Ali Sillah and Gijs Van Den Berg, slicing the lead to 2-1. ONU pushed forward in the closing minutes, but Governors State's defense held steady, sealing the semifinal victory.

Looking Ahead

With this semifinal loss, ONU concludes their 2023-24 season. ONU now sets its sights on the offseason, where they'll work to build on this year's accomplishments and come back even stronger next fall.

Quick Hits

• Final Score: Olivet Nazarene University 1, Governors State University 2
• Azzam 81:45

--ONU—

*Contact Anyssa Hampton, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, ahampton@olivet.edu