DEKALB, Ill. – Daniel Panait scored the lone goal in the 50th minute to lead fifth-seeded Wright State past the fourth-seeded Northern Illinois University men's soccer team on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 8) in the Horizon League Tournament Quarterfinals at the NIU Soccer Complex.
"Gutted that the season is over," said NIU head coach Ryan Swan. "We had some good moments, especially in the second half but Wright State came out and worked very hard, making it very difficult for us. The goal that we have given up is disappointing but, ultimately, we haven't created enough good chances to win this game."
A cagey opening 45 minutes saw just one shot on target, which came in the 18th minute as a cross from Mateo Gomez-Soto (Bentonville, Ark./Bentonville West) found Vance Sheffield (West Linn, Ore./La Salle Catholic College Prep) whose header was tipped away by Wright State goalkeeper Alex Normandeau for a corner at the near post.
The contest sprung to life after the interval as the Huskies had a chance to go in front less than a minute into the second half. Niko Angulo (Dallas, Texas/Allegiance Academy) made himself space for a cross that found Stevan Ljubicic (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) about eight yards from goal and his header force a terrific reaction save from Normandeau.
Four minutes later, Wright State was in front. A free kick 35-plus yards from goal was played into the box by Djafar Al Badawi and Panait got the slightest of touches on it off his head to redirect it into the net at the far post past a diving Cayden Crawford (Plain City, Ohio/Ohio Connections Academy) in goal for NIU as the Raiders took a 1-0 lead.
The visitors had an excellent chance to double their advantage on the counter in the 53rd minute. A Huskie free kick on the edge of the box was blocked and Wright State forced a turnover from the second ball, leading to a breakaway from midfield for Rowen Arnold. Arnold dribbled to the top of the box before firing a low shot that was beaten away by Crawford to keep the Huskies within a goal.
Crawford made another excellent stop in the 69th minute as Arnold played the ball to Maximilian Banfi with space inside the box. Banfi's low shot toward the far post from about 10 yards was palmed away by Crawford.
The Huskies pushed for an equalizer in the final 20 minutes with the best chance coming in the 81st minute as a low cross from Katai Mukuka (Lusaka, Zambia) nearly fell to Angulo and then ping-ponged to the feet of Liubicic whose shot was blocked by a Wright State defender.
NIU finishes the season with an 8-7-2 overall record, Wright State advances to the tournament semifinals where they will visit Purdue Fort Wayne on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
