FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The No. 10-ranked Indiana Tech men's soccer team defeated Cardinal Stritch University 2-1 in overtime Thursday afternoon in the opening game of the 2020 NAIA National Championship Opening Round at Warrior Athletic Field.
How It Happened
- Lucca Motta, earning just his third start of the season, put the Warriors up 1-0 in the 20th minute with his fourth goal of the year. Tech's defense limited Cardinal Stritch to just two total shots in the opening half as they led 1-0 as the break.
- The Wolves were able to put some pressure on the Warriors in the second half and snapped Tech's 434 minute shutout streak as Pedro Diaz found the back of the net to make the visitors just the sixth team to score on the Orange and Black this season.
- The Orange and Black had opportunities to win the game in regulation, but couldn't convert any of their changes in the last 15 minutes of the second half.
- Tech controlled all of the action in the overtime session with four shots on goal and the last one coming off the foot of Ryan Steele that found the back of the net to give the Warriors their first overtime victory since August 24, 2019.
Tech (18-1-1) has now tied the single season record for wins in a season with the 1981 and 1983 teams, who also went to the NAIA National Championships. The Warriors now turn their attention to Saturday's Opening Round Championship match against No. 21-ranked University of the Cumberlands in a rematch from November 7, 2020, where the Warriors, playing in their final game of the fall, topped the Patriots, who were playing their first game of the season, 1-0 in Fort Wayne. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. from Warrior Athletic Field.
