Men's Soccer captures NACC regular season title!

MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia University Wisconsin Men's Soccer team knew it needed a win or tie Wednesday against Rockford to clinch a second NACC Regular Season title in three years. The Falcons played like a motivated team, cruising to a 6-1 win and securing the NACC title.

THE BASICS
- Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 6, Rockford 1
- Location: Fitting Field – Mequon, Wisconsin
- Records: CUW 11-3-3, 9-1-0 NACC; Rockford 4-13-1, 2-8-0 NACC

TOM SALESKA POSTGAME



HOW IT HAPPENED
- CUW built a 3-0 lead in the first half and led at 5-0 at one point in the match. Michael Howell (Milwaukee, Wis.) got the Falcons on the board with his second goal of the season just 10:10 into play. His score was followed by the first career goal by senior Sam Vandehaar (Chippewa Falls, Wis.). Vandehaar ripped a shot from 30-plus yards out as Dagoberto Diaz (Woodburn, Ore.) found him with space on a corner kick.

- Ryan Kreuser (Suamico, Wis.) netted his second goal of the season with under six minutes remaining in the half to make the halftime score 3-0. Kreuser was about 25 yards out and was able to beat the keeper in the bottom left side of the goal for his first goal since the Falcons first match of the year.

- Howell scored again in the 53rd minute off a corner by Diaz. Diaz sent a perfect pass in and Howell was there for the header. Diaz then made the score 5-0 in the 59th minute with a penalty kick score. Diaz now has 33 points in 10 conference matches, scoring 11 goals and adding 11 assists.

- After a Rockford score in the 62nd minute, senior Josiah Ochoa (Mundelein, Ill.) made the score 6-1 with his fourth goal of the season. Ochoa took a pass from Luis Loya (Bolingbrook, Ill.) and sprinted in for the goal.

- Nate Yeager (Rio Rancho, N.M.) tallied his 11th win of the season with a scoreless first half. He was replaced by Joshua Bobke (Oconomowoc, Wis.) in the second half and Bobke tallied two saves.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Falcons NACC Championship is even more impressive considering a number of injuries CUW has dealt with this season. The team has had a different starting lineup nearly every match and continues to find a way to get NACC wins.

- CUW also captured a NACC title in 2015, also with a 9-1-0 league record.

UP NEXT
- The Falcons will receive a bye in the opening round of the NACC Tournament and will now play Tuesday in a home semifinal match. The Falcons will play an opponent yet to be determined at 2 p.m. at Fitting Field.