EAST CHICAGO, Ind. — IU Northwest men's soccer used goals in each half from Love Kapepula and Chase Beals to hold off Waldorf, 2-1, at home Tuesday, improving to 3-2-0 on the season.
The Redhawks controlled play from the opening whistle, out-shooting Waldorf 16-6 on the night and putting nine shots on frame to the Warriors' five. It took until the 37th minute for the breakthrough, when Love Kapepula headed home an unassisted strike for the first goal of his collegiate career, giving IU Northwest a 1-0 lead heading into the break.
The Redhawks doubled their advantage early in the second half. Chase Beals converted in the 58th minute off a Limones and Eric Lopez assist, pushing the lead to 2-0.
Waldorf got on the board in the 78th minute when Lucas Nogal Ovejero scored unassisted to cut the deficit to 2-1. The goal came moments after Jackson Novak had entered in relief of Carter Levesque, who had held Waldorf scoreless through more than 76 minutes in goal. Levesque finished with three saves before the substitution, and Novak turned away a shot of his own down the stretch to help close out the win. Waldorf's Oliver Stevenson kept his side within reach with seven saves.
The Redhawks generated pressure throughout, with Limones, Damian Lopez and Alan Nunez each testing Stevenson multiple times, while Marcos Talavera and Gavin Niebel also had quality looks denied in the first half. IU Northwest also held a 4-3 edge on corner kicks, a reflection of the sustained pressure the Redhawks kept on Waldorf's goal for most of the match.
IU Northwest returns home to host Alma College on Saturday, Sept. 5. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CDT.
