ELGIN, Ill. – Lucas Garcia Bennett scored the equalizer with less than five minutes left in regulation after Michael Flores scored 15 minutes earlier to help the Roosevelt men's soccer team rally back from a two-goal deficit, but host Judson scored the golden goal with 21 seconds left in overtime to hand the Lakers a 3-2 loss at Dawson Field on Saturday.
The result snapped a six-game winning streak for the Lakers (8-4-0, 6-1-0 CCAC) and gave league-leading Roosevelt its first Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference loss.
Judson (6-6-0, 4-2-0 CCAC) opened the scoring early as Diego Silva scored on a cross from Pedro Rodrigues in the fifth minute.
Just six minutes later the Eagles struck again, this time with Silva assisting on Nikolaos Mihalapoulos' goal to stun the Lakers.
Roosevelt regained its composure and proceeded to dominate possession. The Lakers went on unleash 26 shots, one shy of a 20-shot lead over the Eagles' output, and put immense pressure on Judson's defense. Despite the attack, Roosevelt could not cash in on a goal.
That was until the 70th minute, when Jose Solis was given another opportunity at his specialty this week with a free kick. This attempt was redirected outward and into the opportunistic Flores, who found the perfect time to score his first goal in two years and cut Roosevelt's deficit down to one.
The pressure intensified as Roosevelt sought the tying goal and Judson did everything it could to prevent it. However, amidst a scrum in front of goal on the windy day, it was Garcia Bennett who was able to hit paydirt by beating keeper Brandon Gorka to stun the Eagles' home crowd.
The match went to OT, and it appeared that a second session would be necessary until a foul was whistled in the period's waning moments to give Judson a free kick. Ramon Orozco took the honors from 30 yards out, and he was able to get the ball past keeper Mario Graciano's grasp to lift the hosts past the Lakers late.
Roosevelt will look to rebound and start a new winning streak when the Lakers head to Calumet St. Joseph to play the Crimson Wave at East Chicago Central High Field on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Michael Flores (20) and Jose Solis (13) accounted for Roosevelt's first goal to spur the comeback. (Photo: Danny Carlino)
