Eureka Comes Up Short in 2-1 Loss to Scots

EUREKA, Ill. – Despite a second half equalizer from Joyce Kabesa, the Eureka men's soccer team came up short on Wednesday night in a 2-1 loss to Monmouth at McKinzie Field. The Red Devils were unable to recover after conceding the winning goal just minutes after leveling the match.

The Red Devils were tested early, with goalkeeper Xavier Brisbon (Oswego, Ill./Oswego East) making key saves in the 11th and 19th minutes to keep the match scoreless. Offensively, Eureka was able to generate opportunities from Gabriel Gonzalez (Oak Forest, Ill./Homeschooled) and Anthony Gutierrez (Elmwood Park, Ill./Elmwood Park), but it was the Scots who found the breakthrough in the 24th minute, when Owen Murray was finally able to beat Brisbon to give Monmouth a 1-0 lead.

Eureka kept pressing as the first half wound down, but the scoreline remained unchanged heading into the break.

Early in the second half, the Red Devils found their spark. In the 53rd minute, Jesus Canas (Miami, Fla./John A. Ferguson) found Uli Castaneda (Bloomington, Ill./Normal West), who laid the ball off to Joyce Kabesa (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington). Kabesa calmly slotted it home for his seventh goal of the season, bringing the match level at 1-1.

However, the tie was short-lived. Just three minutes later, Murray struck again for Monmouth, netting his second of the night to restore the Scots' lead.

Eureka pushed for another equalizer late in the match and generated chances on shots from Landon Porch (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) and Jovani Zuniga (Chicago, Ill./Brother Rice), but Monmouth keeper Luis Villa recorded several crucial saves to secure the win for the Scots.

Brisbon finished the night with five saves on 15 shots faced, while Diego Bueno (Round Lake, Ill./Grant Community) led the team with four shot attempts in his first game back from an injury.

Up Next

The Red Devils will look to bounce back when they host Concordia Chicago on Saturday at 2 p.m.