Eureka Gets SLIAC Win Over Spalding, 4-1
EUREKA, Ill. – The Eureka College men's soccer team broke a 1-1 deadlock late in the first half by scoring three times in the final five minutes before halftime to earn a 4-1 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory over Spalding, Saturday afternoon at Traister Field. The decision marked Eureka's first all-time victory over the Golden Eagles.
The Red Devils staked to an early advantage at the 5:27 mark of the first half on the second career goal from senior Richie Gregory (Champaign, Ill./Judah Christian H.S.). The sixth-minute strike was assisted on by Halstead and junior defender Kyle Oyer (Metamora, Ill./Metamora H.S.). Spalding found the equalizer in the 16th minute when Cody Brown's first goal of the season forced a 1-1 tie. The goal was unassisted.
The Red Devils took control of the match with an offensive flurry in the final 4:06 of the first half. Halstead's goal at 40:54 on an assist from senior Derek Johnson (Leland, Ill./Leland H.S.), his seventh goal of the season and 17th career goal to tie David Crady for second on the all-time Eureka goal-scoring list, was the match-winner. Freshman forward Gerald Barnett (Peoria, Ill./Peoria H.S.) scored his first career goal just 45 seconds later for a 3-1 lead, before Johnson completed the scoring spree with his third goal of the campaign at 42:34.
The offense was more than enough for EC junior goalkeeper Nathan Mullins (South Duxbury, Vt./Harwood Union H.S.), who made seven saves in the full 90 minutes to earn his fifth career victory and become the all-time Eureka leader in goalkeeper victories. Saturday's win was Mullins's third of the season and pushed him in front of Justin Horrer (2008), Jay Linsley (2009-10) and current teammate Tyler Mumm (Monticello, Ill./Monticello H.S.) on the all-time program list.
Additionally, Johnson's tally in the 43rd minute was the seventh of his career, tying him with David Doubet (2008) for fifth place on the all-time Eureka list.
The Red Devils will play their final road contest of the 2011 season this Wednesday, traveling to Jacksonville, Ill. for a 3 p.m. kickoff against MacMurray.
