Box Score

FOND DU LAC, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – Solid defense helped spoil a chance to further solidify the Northern Athletics Conference postseason hopes of the Marian University men's soccer team as the Benedictine University Eagles came into Smith Fields and left with a 2-0 victory, today, Oct. 15.

Entering today, the Sabres were in control of the sixth and final playoff spot, but after the Eagles' 2-0 win, they fall into seventh place with just two conference games left to play. Benedictine netminder, Orlando Esparza, made five key saves in earning the shutout. Izzy Castro put BenU on the board early with a 12th minute goal, which stood until the final 30 seconds when Mostafa Abdelrahman added an insurance tally for the Eagles.

Benedictine improves to 7-6-2 overall, 4-3-2 in the NAC, while Marian falls to 4-10-1 (4-5 NAC).

BenU outshot the Sabres, 11-9, in the match and garnered five corner kicks to just two for MU. Cori Whipple and Raul Perez each tallied two shots with one on goal in the loss.

Castro's goal in the 12th minute came off a deflection of Marian goalkeeper Tim Wszalek's hand. Castro, sitting on the front door step, just chipped it in to give the Eagles an early lead.

In the final 30 second of the match, Abdelrahman added to his NAC lead with his ninth goal of the season in a breakaway to the goal.

The Sabres will be back in action Thursday, Oct. 20, as they travel to Maranatha Baptist this for a 4 p.m. start.