ELSAH, Ill. – The Westminster men's soccer team saw their season come to an end on Thursday night with a 2-1 loss to Principia in the SLIAC tournament. The Blue Jays finish the season with a record of 5-12.
19 minutes into the first half the Blue Jays won the ball near midfield after a Principia free kick and Freddy Nene sent a long pass towards the corner that Andrew Sprengel was able to run down. Sprengel passed the ball into the box where Patrick Wisnewski was able to kick to Collin Murray. Murray battled a Panther defender and made a quick pass to Justin Gerdiman who delivered a strike past the Principia keeper to put Westminster up 1-0.
In the 36th minute the Panthers were awarded a penalty kick when Westminster goalie Connor Bandre' collided with a Principia player who was trying to run down a pass. Principia converted the penalty kick to tie the game at 1-1.
Principia controlled the ball for the majority of the time remaining in the first half, recording a pair of shots and a corner kick. However, both shots went wide of the net and the teams went into the half tied at 1-1.
Just over three minutes into to the second half the Panthers took a 2-1 lead when a Principia player fired a shot from 25 yards out past Bandre. The Blue Jays took 12 shots and drew four corner kicks in the second half but could not tie the game. Principia held on to win the match 2-1 and advance to the SLIAC Championship game.
Gerdiman led Westminster with five shots in the game followed by Philip Udinyiwe with four. Bandre' finished the game with three saves.
Freddy Nene and Joshua Udinyiwe were named to the All-Tournament team for the Blue Jays.