GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay men's soccer team fell in a high-intensity matchup on Saturday against NIU at Aldo Santaga Stadium, 3-2. The Phoenix had a 2-0 lead at halftime before the Huskies stormed back with three unanswered goals in the second half to take the three points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Green Bay opened the scoring in the game's 26th minute when Luke Nicholson, from the left-hand side, crossed a dangerous ball in the path of Aleks Pituch, who found the back of the net to make it 1-0. GB didn't stop there, doubling the lead when Ty Perkins sprayed a ball wide to Gio Cruz on the right, who found Nathan Moua. Moua shifted onto his favored left foot inside the box and slotted it past the NIU keeper in the 39th minute. NIU had some opportunities in the half, but never truly threatened the GB goal in the first 45.
NIU got on the scoreboard against the run of play in the 58th minute. A foul by the Phoenix defense set the Huskies up for a free kick about 10 yards outside of the box. Romah Khela stepped up and beat the Green Bay wall and keeper to cut the lead to 2-1. That goal shifted the momentum, and the Huskies tied the game in under two minutes thanks to a Nico Angulo goal. Green Bay then regained its footing, and the two teams battled for the next 10 minutes before NIU would score another set piece goal, again from Khela in the 72nd minute.
It appeared the Phoenix tied the game late thanks to a smooth offensive action that led to a Dylan Drendel goal, before it was pulled back due to a foul in the buildup. Following, GB was unable to find the back of the visitor's net and fell 3-2.
GAME NOTES
• Green Bay received one yellow card, shown to Rayme Nyembwe. NIU had two.
• NIU slightly outshot Green Bay 15-14.
• Green Bay had eight shots on goal to the Huskies five.
• NIU had 16 fouls to Green Bay's seven.
COMING UP
Green Bay has a week off before heading to Fort Wayne, Ind., to take on Purdue Fort Wayne at 1 p.m. CT. Following, the Phoenix will host IU Indy on Saturday, October 24 at 1 p.m. CT.
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