The D-III soccer world had their eyes focused on the Windy City on Sunday as the last two national champions faced off against each other when No. 7 University of Chicago welcomed No. 1 St. Olaf to Stagg Field. The Maroons pummeled the Oles with shots in a scoreless first half before netting their first two goals of the season to get the shutout win and a little bit of revenge after the two squads met in 2023.
RESULT
No. 1 St. Olaf – 0
No. 7 UChicago – 2
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After being shutout in their first contest of the season, No. 7 University of Chicago (1-1) knew they needed to put a crooked number up on the scoreboard against top ranked St. Olaf (1-1), a squad that won the 2023 NCAA D-III National Championship. The Maroons dominated the Oles in shots throughout the first 45 minutes and assembled a 14-5 advantage. Two of those attempts came incredibly close to getting past the Olaf keeper but a hard post and crossbar hit denied both as the two teams went into halftime tied at 0-0.
- UChicago kept pouring the pressure on in the back half of the ballgame and added another nine shots to their game total. Wearing down the Oles defense, the Maroons finally got their first goal of the season when Edward Wu knocked one in just before the 72nd minute.
- Full well knowing that St. Olaf is capable of coming back after the visiting team ended UChicago's postseason at home last fall, the Maroons secured an insurance goal when Robbie Pino slipped the ball to a waiting Sam Jimenez for their second tally of the game with less than five minutes left.
- The home team's defense remained stout throughout and were able to force six of their opponent's nine shots off goal. The three that did find their way to the net were stopped by keeper Dhirpal Shah who recorded three saves in the UChicago 2-0 win.
UCHICAGO STAT TRACKER
Shots on Goal – Robbie Pino (4)
Goals – Sam Jiminez & Edward Wu (1)
Assists – Robbie Pino (1)
Saves – Dhirpal Shah (3)