Kabesa’s Late Brace Lifts Eureka Over Maranatha, 2-1

EUREKA, Ill. – A late brace from Joyce Kabesa lifted the Eureka men's soccer team to a 2-1 comeback win over Maranatha Baptist on Tuesday afternoon at McKinzie Field. The Red Devils battled back from a first half deficit, with the SLIAC's leading scorer adding two more goals to secure their fourth victory of the season.

Eureka created chances early, with Landon Porch (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) and Jovani Zuniga (Chicago, Ill./Brother Rice) each testing Maranatha keeper Joe Shank in the opening minutes. Joyce Kabesa (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) nearly opened the scoring in the 14th minute, but his shot clipped the crossbar and stayed out. Despite several opportunities and a string of corners, the Red Devils couldn't break through, and it was Maranatha Baptist who struck first, when Cameron Beachell put the visitors ahead in the 34th minute with a brilliant volley into the bottom corner. Eureka entered the halftime break trailing 1-0.

The second half saw Eureka continue to push for an equalizer. Porch and Michael Kondilis (Chicago, Ill./Maine South) both had quality chances denied by Shank, but the Red Devils' pressure finally paid off late in the match. In the 81st minute, Gabriel Gonzalez (Oak Forest, Ill./Homeschooled) delivered a cross into the box that found Kabesa, whose shot deflected off a defender and into the net to level the match at 1-1. Just seven minutes later, Jesus Canas (Miami, Fla./John A. Ferguson) dribbled past several Maranatha defenders before being taken down in the box, earning a penalty. Kabesa calmly converted from the spot in the 88th minute, sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory for Eureka.

Kabesa finished with two goals on six shots, bringing his season total to nine goals, four more than the next highest scorer in the SLIAC. Charles Wyzukovicz (Elgin, Ill./Central) made his first start in goal for Eureka and earned the win with two saves. Walter Medrano (Houston, Texas/Heights) contributed four shots from center back, including two on target, while Gonzalez added an assist in the comeback effort.

Up Next

The Red Devils will put their two-game winning streak on the line when they host Grace Christian on Thursday at 3 p.m. at McKinzie Field.