Red Devils Celebrate Senior Day with 4-1 Win Over Spalding

EUREKA, Ill. – The Eureka men's soccer team shined on Senior Day at McKinzie Field, rolling to a 4-1 victory over Spalding on Saturday morning in SLIAC play.

The Red Devils (5-8-2, 1-3-1 SLIAC) struck first in the 15th minute when Tristan Martinez (Flowery Branch, Ga./Cherokee Bluff) beat his defender and found Michael Kondilis (Chicago, Ill./Maine South) in front of goal for a close-range finish.

Early in the second half, Eureka's attack caught fire. Kondilis returned the favor in the 63rd minute, teeing up Landon Porch (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) to double the lead. Just four minutes later, Martinez delivered one of the goals of the season, blasting a shot from 35 yards out that soared into the top corner to make it 3-0.

Porch capped his brace moments later, drawing and converting a penalty in the 67th minute to extend the Red Devils' advantage to four.

Spalding (4-5-3, 2-2-0 SLIAC) broke through in the 85th minute with a penalty kick goal from Eddie Mendez-Perez, but the Red Devils' held on for a 4-1 win.

Kondilis and Martinez led Eureka with a goal and an assist each, while Porch tallied two goals. Senior goalkeeper Xavier Brisbon (Elgin, Ill./Central) recorded four saves in 81 minutes of action before fellow senior Brayton Strawkas (Buffalo, Ill./Tri-City) closed out the match in goal.

Eureka totaled 11 shots, including seven on target, while limiting Spalding to five shots on goal.

Following the win, Eureka honored its six seniors. Joyce Kabesa (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington), Troy Arries (Cape Town, South Africa/Wynberg), Brayton Strawkas, Merdi Ilonga (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington), Xavier Brisbon, and Jake Adamson (McHenry, Ill./McHenry) were all recognized for their contributions to the Eureka men's soccer program.

UP NEXT

The Red Devils will look to build on the win when they travel to Greenville on Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.