ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Anthony Aldape (JR/Chicago Heights, Ill.)'s free kick from 20 yards out in the 98th minute veered into goal and propelled the Roosevelt University men's soccer team to its most dramatic and crucial win of the 2021 spring season, a wild 4-3 comeback victory against Saint Xavier at Morris Field on Wednesday, April 7.
The Lakers leveled late on Eduardo Hernandez (SO/Northlake, Ill.)'s second goal of the game, a successful penalty kick in the 77th minute, to set up Aldape's overtime heroics.
The victory keeps the Lakers' CCAC Tournament hopes alive heading into the regular season finale at league-leading Cardinal Stritch on Saturday.
GAME DETAILS
Score: Saint Xavier 1 2 0 3
Roosevelt 2 1 1 4
Records: Roosevelt 4-6-1, 4-6-1 CCAC // Saint Xavier 5-6-0, 5-6-0 CCAC
Location: Morris Field | Arlington Heights, Ill.
THE NUMBERS
- Eduardo Hernandez scored the game's first goal and the final goal of regulation, doubling his season goal output in one game
- Juan Sosa (SR/Cicero, Ill.) scored his first goal of the season, a go-ahead free kick strike in the 27th minute to give Roosevelt a 2-1 lead into intermission
- Anthony Aldape's game-winner was his team-leading fifth goal of the season
- Lukas Palma (JR/Cicero, Ill.) made two key saves and a variety of timely plays during his third start in goal
NEWS & NOTES
- Roosevelt took the lead less than four minutes in as Hernandez took advantage of an SXU misplay and converted his clean look at goal on the turnover
- Saint Xavier equalized five minutes later on a goal off a corner kick
- Sosa put the Lakers back in front in the 27th minute after his free kick found the net
- The game remained in the Lakers' favor until SXU's Ricardo Avalos leveled in the 71st minute and gave the Cougars their first lead three minutes later on his header tally off a cross
- A foul in the box gave RU a PK, and Hernandez took advantage for his fourth goal of the season and eighth career goal in two seasons
- An SXU foul just outside the box led to the match's last goal, as Aldape beat keeper Andres Zamora with a free kick from the right side that landed far post for the golden goal
- Roosevelt improved to 6-4 all-time against Saint Xavier
NEXT UP
The Lakers conclude the regular season in must-win mode this Saturday, April 10, traveling to the Bavarian Inn soccer complex in Milwaukee to take on Cardinal Stritch at 2 p.m.
