The Purdue University Calumet men’s soccer team fell victim to an unlucky break in a 2-1 double overtime league loss to Holy Cross College Saturday at Munster High School.
Three minutes into the second overtime, a Peregrine defender trying to clear a Saints cross knocked the ball into the Purdue Calumet net to give the match to visitors in Purdue Calumet’s final regular season match.
The Peregrines (10-6-1, 7-3-1) have already clinched a berth into the CCAC Tournament. With several teams at the top of the league standings – Roosevelt (7-3), Olivet Nazarene (7-2), and Saint Xavier (7-2-1) – with one match to play, the lowest the Peregrines could finish in the regular-season standings is fifth. The top seed receives a first-round bye and automatic berth into the NAIA Round of 32, while Seeds 2-4 host a first-round game Saturday, Nov. 8.
Judson is currently atop the league standings with 25 points, while the Peregrines are tied for second with St. Xavier with 22.
Junior Andres Ayala (San Antonio, Texas/Reagan) netted Saturday’s equalizer off a penalty kick in the 44th minute to tie the game just before the half. Holy Cross (7-6-4, 4-4-2) struck first in the game, as Eduardo Berruezo scored in just the ninth minute via an assist from Austin Haire.
The Peregrines outshot the Saints by a 15-9 margin while the teams were tied on corner kicks, 4-4.
Freshman Miguel David (Spring Valley, Calif./Bonita Vista) recorded five saves in the match for the Peregrines.
Purdue Calumet will await its fate in next week’s tournament as regular-season play for all CCAC teams wraps up Wednesday, Nov. 5.