November 12, 2005

Chicago Defeats St. John's 3-2 in NCAA Division III Opener

WAVERLY, Iowa -- Senior midfielder Giordano Palloni (Madison, Wis./ West) tied the game in the final minute of regulation, and senior forward Ryan Ehle (Holland, Ohio/ St. John's Jesuit) scored in overtime as the University of Chicago defeated St. John's (Minn.) University 3-2 in the opening round of the 2005 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship Saturday at Wartburg College.

Palloni scored with 33 seconds left in regulation to force the overtime. The unassisted goal was his fourth of the season.

Ehle tallied the game-winner at the 117:02 mark off an assist from senior midfielder Joe Frontczak (Creve Coeur, Mo./ Chaminade), who had two assists on the day. Ehle's goal was his ninth of the year and his fifth game-winner.

Junior midfielder Alex Chinco (Sacramento, Calif./ Jesuit) opened the scoring for Chicago (14-5) at the 8:58 mark with his first goal of the year from Frontczak.

St. John's (14-4-2) tied the game at 73:50 on a goal by Dan Swift and took a 2-1 lead in at the 85:41 mark when Tudor Flintham scored.

Junior goalkeeper Keith Crum (Holland, Pa./ Council Rock South) made two saves without allowing a goal in the game's first 51:27. Junior Tom Bailey (Overland Park, Kan./ Pembroke Hill) played the final 65:35, allowing two goals with three saves.

The Maroons will face Wartburg (18-3) in second round play Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

Box score