The Purdue Northwest Men's Soccer team knocked off their second straight ranked team to begin the season after upsetting #17 Illinois Springfield 1-0 in a wild finish during the 2024 Sports Fest.

The Basics 

• Records: PNW (2-0-0), #17 Illinois Springfield (1-1-0) 
• Location: Dowling Park - Hammond, Ind.
• Attendance: 500

Inside The Numbers 

• Junior Rami Hassan Zantout (Folson, Calif./Folsom) led the Pride scoring the game-winning goal with three total shots.
• Graduate student Tomas Rozman (Sydney, Australia/Champagnat Catholic College) played all 90 minutes in net for the Pride and recorded one save notching this second straight shutout. 
• Kevin Herrara led UIS with two shots during the game.
• Eduardo Pinna played all 90 minutes in frame for the Prairie Stars and made two saves.

The Breakdown 

• Both teams battled back-and-forth in the first half and went into halftime tied 0-0.
• In the 79th minute, UIS was called for a hand ball in the box and penalty kick was awarding the penalty shot. Zantout stepped up for the PK but Pinna made the save to keep the game tied 0-0.
• With two minutes left in the game, the Pride earned a corner kick and with bouncing around in the box, Zantout redeemed himself and struck the ball in the back of the net to give Purdue Northwest a 1-0 lead in the 89th minute.
• The Pride held on for the upset win in thrilling fashion, 1-0.
• Purdue Northwest out-shot the Prairie Stars, 5-3.

Up Next

• The Pride hit the road when they take on Quincy on Wednesday, September 11. Kick-off is set for 2:00 p.m. central time at Quincy, Illinois.

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