Loya's OT winner puts Men's Soccer in sole possession of first in the NACC

MILWAUKEE – After an earlier Wednesday result saw Dominican get upset by Concordia Chicago, the Concordia University Wisconsin Men's Soccer team knew with a win Wednesday night at MSOE they would move to the top of the NACC standings. It took a little longer to get there, as the Falcons needed overtime once again, but senior Luis Loya delivered the game-winner in a thrilling 3-2 victory.

THE BASICS
- Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 3, MSOE 2 (F/OT)
- Location: Viets Field – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Records: CUW 9-3-3, 7-1-0 NACC; MSOE 9-5-0, 5-3-0 NACC

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Falcons have gone to overtime three times in eight NACC matches this season, and have won all three relatively quick into the overtime session. Loya (Bolingbrook, Ill.) struck 3:40 into the extra session on a great individual effort. The senior striker sprinted into the box up the right side and fired his shot into the post for the game-winning effort.

- CUW trailed on a couple different occasions Wednesday but answered each time. The Raiders had the lone goal of the opening half, a 29th-minute score from Brandon Herman. Herman had both scores for MSOE Wednesday evening.

- The Falcons came out strong in the second half, scoring 4:01 after the break to tie the score. It was junior Dagoberto Diaz (Woodburn, Ore.) with the first equalizer on a blast from 30 yards out. Loya assisted on the Diaz score. Unfortunately for the Falcons, Herman and the Raiders scored 17 seconds later to retake the lead.

- Playing in his first match since September 21, freshman Michael Howell (Milwaukee, Wis.) scored his first career collegiate goal to tie the contest at 2-2. Howell was able to put a header in off a corner kick by Diaz in the 58th minute.

- The Falcons dominated possession on Wednesday, outshooting the Raiders, 22-8. Nate Yeager (Rio Rancho, N.M.) finished the contest with one save to record his ninth victory of the season. Riley Bruce stopped six shots for the Raiders.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Falcons entered the day tied with Dominican atop the NACC standings but the Stars were upset by Concordia Chicago (1-0) earlier in the day. CUW now controls its own destiny for its second NACC regular season title in three years with two league matches remaining. The Falcons will play Concordia Chicago and Rockford in their final two NACC contests.

- CUW probably doesn't mind seeing its NACC matches go to overtime this season. The Falcons are 3-0-0 in NACC overtime affairs with wins over Benedictine, Wisconsin Lutheran, and MSOE. Wednesday's match was the longest it took for the Falcons to find an overtime winner as they scored 25 seconds into overtime against Benedictine and 1:33 into the extra session at Wisconsin Lutheran.

UP NEXT
- CUW will visit Concordia Chicago Sunday for a NACC matchup. The Falcons and Cougars are set for a 2 p.m. start.