DEKALB, Ill. – Taylor Davis (Wichita Falls, Texas/Wichita Falls) scored the game-winning goal in the 88th minute as the Northern Illinois University men's soccer team retained the Lewang Cup with a 3-2 victory over Milwaukee on Monday night (Sept. 5) in the home opener at the NIU Soccer Complex. Taisei Arima (Machida, Japan/Fort Hays State) scored twice on an eventful night that featured five goals and 13 cards. 

"These are tough games, with a trophy on the line, a derby match with history between the two of us," said NIU head coach Ryan Swan. "The game always gets a little chippy and when there is a trophy on the line that is part of it. I do think we have to control our emotions, things boiled over a bit in the end, but we have to be more composed and not get caught up in the emotions of the game too much."

NIU (2-1-1) opened the scoring in the 17th minute as Arima gave the hosts the early lead. Arima received the ball out near the touchline and made a bursting run toward the top of the box before unleashing a low show into the near-side corner, past Milwaukee goalkeeper Nick Chiappa to give the Huskies a 1-0 advantage. 

The visitors levelled the contest just 50 seconds later David Cox played a one-two inside the box with Gabe Anguil. Cox received the ball back all alone near the top of the six-yard box and made no mistake, beating NIU goalkeeper Martin Sanchez (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy) to even the match. 

In the 27th minute, the Huskies went back in front as Arima scored direct from a corner. The Machida, Japan native's in-swinging corner evaded numerous bodies inside the box and just crossed the line for his third goal in the last two games. 

The "olympico" (goal direct from a corner) marks the second consecutive year that the Huskies have scored an "olympico" against the Panthers. Last season, Miguel Maynez Jr. (El Paso, Texas/New Mexico) scored direct from a corner with what proved to be the game-winner against Milwaukee. 

NIU nearly added a third before the intermission off another corner in the 34th minute as a deflected ball was cleared off the line by a Panther defender. 

Milwaukee pulled level again in the 52nd minute on a goal by Logan Farrington. Anguil played the ball into the box from the left and Farrington made an excellent turn to give himself space before firing home the second of the night for the Panthers. 

In the 72nd minute, Milwaukee received the first of three red cards in the contest as Raul Medina was sent off for his second yellow card. 

With the man advantage, the Huskies were in the ascendency but were unable to get a shot on target until Davis' 88th minute winner. 

Cesar Cuellar (Miami, Fla./Florida International) whipped a great ball into a dangerous area from the left and it ping-ponged inside the six-yard box before Davis pounced, prodding home a left-footed strike from close range for his first collegiate goal to put the Huskies in front for the third time on the night. 

"It's easy to get desperate as the time is ticking away and start launching the ball into the box," said Swan. "But I thought we stayed really patient. Miguel Maynez was fantastic, he kept getting on the ball and was pulling the strings for us. I'm delighted for Taylor (Davis), it was a tough finish, he did really well. We know he has goals in him, but what a way to get your first one."

Although the contest was less than three minutes from time, the action was far from over as 12 seconds later NIU's Harry Jolley (Liverpool, England/St. Margaret Academy) was given his second yellow card to reduce the Huskies to 10. In the ensuing argument, the Huskies were reduced to nine and Jakub Rojek (Chicago, Ill./Von Steuben) was forced to come on to finish the contest in goal, his first career regular season action. 

Now down a man, the Huskies cleared a corner and held the Panthers at bay over the final two minutes to win the game and maintain possession of the Lewang Cup. 

Sanchez made four saves in goal for the Huskies, Chiappa made one stop for Milwaukee. 

NIU will return to action on Thursday, Sept. 8, when it hosts Lindenwood. Kickoff against the Lions is slated for 7 p.m. at the NIU Soccer Complex.