Wright State men’s soccer team defeated No. 1 seeded UIC 2-1 in the Horizon League semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 13.
The Raiders started out on top with a goal from sophomore forward Jalim Bayo for his first goal of the season at the 28th minute. Wright State would carry that lead into the second half, until UIC’s Joel Leon tied the game at the 50thminute.
Junior forward Peguy Ngatcha would earn his seventh goal of the season on a penalty kick at the 65th minute, putting Wright State in the lead for good. Ngatcha was honored by the league earlier in the week by being named First Team All-Horizon League.
UIC out-shot the Raiders 14-11 with a 6-5 advantage on shots on goal, but it mattered not as Wright State was able to capitalize on their opportunities.
Junior goalkeeper Tyler Blackmer defended the goal with five saves on the night despite allowing one ball to fall through.
The Raiders (12-7-1) will face Oakland, Saturday Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in the Horizon League Championship game.
The match-up will be a rematch of last year's final in which the Golden Grizzlies defeated WSU 2-1 at Oakland. Oakland also defeated the Raiders in their lone match this season with a 2-0 decision at Alumni Field on Nov. 6.
