Greenville Slips Past Eureka Late in SLIAC Tournament, 2-1

GREENVILLE, Ill. – The Eureka men's soccer team came tantalizingly close to making program history on Tuesday.

The Red Devils held a 1-0 lead over Greenville for more than 62 minutes in a St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinal match, but the Panthers scored twice late to win it, 2-1, and advance to the semifinals.

Isaac Noriega (Chicago, Ill./Muchin College Prep) put the Red Devils on the board with a blast off the keeper's hands on a free-kick opportunity in the 28th minute. That ended up being the Red Devils' only shot on goal in the first half.

Eureka's best offensive play of the game was preceded by its best defensive play of the game. In the 22nd minute, Greenville had a good opportunity to go ahead first after a scrum in the box on a free kick gave way to a shot in the box by Pablo Valverde.

With Eureka freshman goalkeeper Gabe Seeber guarding the near post, Valverde aimed for the far post and Eureka's Jake Edmondson (Monticello, Ill./Monticello) came up with an impressive kick save to knock it out of danger and keep the match scoreless.

Seeber finished with four saves in his first career start in net and was an aggressive presence in the box for most of the match.

In the second half, Eureka played against the wind, and the Panthers used it to their advantage, keeping pressure on and forcing the Red Devils to defend their half.

Tyler Russow (Streator, Ill./Streator/Illinois Valley) put a shot on frame in the 83rd minute.

Less than two minutes later, Greenville found the back of the net for the first time. Gabriel Sule had an opportunity in front of the net denied by Seeber, but the ball wasn't secured and Sule was able to get back up and send it in.

The match-winner came just a minute, 21 seconds later. Gabriel Lima chipped a ball ahead to Valverde in front of the box. Valverde took it off his head and volleyed it over the keeper to make it 2-1.

With more than four minutes to play, Eureka pushed for an equalizer. Edmondson got a shot off in the 89th minute following a throw-in, but it went over and off-frame.

The Red Devils earned a corner kick as the final seconds ticked away. Greenville headed it away to seal the win.

Eureka complete the 2023 season with a 5-11-4 record – ending a run that featured several dramatic wins and a slew of twists and turns with a heartbreaking loss in the postseason.

Tuesday marked the Red Devils' second-ever SLIAC Tournament appearance under Coach Ryan Woodside.