ELMHURST, Ill. - Beloit College's men's soccer team dropped a hard-fought match against Elmhurst this afternoon, ultimately falling 3-1. The Buccaneers move to 6-7-4 (3-1-2, MWC) while the Bluejays improved to 5-10-2 (1-5-0 CCIW).
The first half was a tight affair, with Elmhurst breaking the deadlock in the 44th minute, sending the Bluejays into halftime with a 1-0 lead. Beloit's goalkeeper, Cody Nowaczyk (Elkhorn, Wis.), made a crucial save in the 17th minute keeping the Buccaneers within striking distance.
As the second half unfolded, Beloit intensified their attack, demonstrating their fighting spirit. Their persistence paid off in the 80th minute when Rafael Cervantes Jr. (Dallas, TX), assisted by Eziah Hernandez (New Mexico), found the back of the net. This crucial goal, Cervantes Jr.'s seventh of the season, brought Beloit level at 1-1, igniting hopes of a comeback. The equalizer was a testament to Beloit's offensive efforts throughout the game, which included 7 total shots.
However, Elmhurst responded quickly, with two goals in rapid succession in the 84th minute, ultimately securing the win for the Bluejays.
Individually, several Beloit players stood out. Elijah Hartberg (Stoughton, Wis.) was active with two shots, while Cervantes Jr. converted his single shot into Beloit's only goal. Nowaczyk played a significant portion of the game, making crucial saves to keep Beloit in contention.
The Buccaneers face two final regular season Midwest Conference games. Beloit heads to Ripon College on Saturday, October 25th for a 7:30 pm kick off at Hopp Stadium. The Buccaneers have a chance to clinch their first MWC Tournament berth since 2012 with a win over the Red Hawks.
