CHICAGO – Maina Ngobia's dramatic overtime strike lifted the University of Chicago men's soccer team to a 1-0 home victory over University of Rochester on Saturday.

The No. 20-ranked Maroons improved to 8-3-1 on the season and 1-1 in the University Athletic Association (UAA). The Yellowjackets fell to 5-2-3 (0-2 UAA).

With Rochester content to sit back on defense and hunt for counterattacks, UChicago provided most of the action on the afternoon. Junior Kameron Bloye and first-year Lyndon Hu combined for the first four shots of the game, and the Maroons outshot the Yellowjackets 8-1 in the opening half. Three of the shots were on goal. But the two teams went into halftime scoreless.

Rochester's best chance to break onto the scoreboard came in the 83rd minute. A counterattack by the visitors resulted in a foul at the top of the box, giving the Yellowjackets a prime free-kick opportunity. However, the attempt was blocked by the Maroon wall of defenders and the ball was ushered out to safety.

UChicago had a free kick chance of its own from straight away with two minutes left. But the dipping shot to the right post by senior Vicente Mateus was saved.

Overtime was next on the docket. That's when Ngobia's heroics saved the day. Less than five minutes into the extra period, senior Sahil Modi sent a pass into space on the right wing for Ngobia to run onto. From 20 yards out on the far right, the sophomore defender cracked a sudden shot towards the top shelf of the goal. The defense – anticipating a cross – was caught unawares. The goalkeeper backpedaled from the right post and leapt backwards to save the ball, to no avail. Ngobia was promptly swallowed by a mob of elated teammates as UChicago secured the win at the 94:21 mark.

UChicago outshot Rochester 15-4 and did not allow a shot on goal defensively. Corner kicks were similarly lopsided at 7-0 for the hosts. Senior goalkeeper Calvin Walters (6-3-1 record) earned the clean sheet, traversing forward in the box on several occasions to intercept dangerous long balls into the area.

NEXT GAME:

• Friday, Oct. 15 @ 5:30 PM – Brandeis University at UChicago