No. 23 Baker Scores Three Unanswered to Top (RV) Benedictine, 3-1

BALDWIN CITY - No. 23 Baker men's soccer got back on track Wednesday night at Hartley Field, coming away with a 3-1 victory over (RV) Benedictine to snap a two-game skid for the Wildcats (4-4-1) and put them back at .500 on the season.

After the Ravens scored in the 7th minute, Baker rattled off three unanswered goals with Chafik El Idrissi tying the match in the 22nd, followed by a goal from Akira Itadani in the 59th and one last insurance goal from Parker Hurla in the 75th.

Despite playing the final 15 minutes down a man, the Wildcats controlled most of the match following the early BC goal, with BU boasting a 15-7 advantage in shots and a 7-5 edge in corner kicks.

In his eighth start of the season, BU starting keeper Maxot Arystanov made two saves and allowed just the one goal, which came after initially saving BC's PK attempt.

The first of two handballs to lead to a penalty kick occurred in the 7th minute, with the Ravens earning the PK. The initial chance was stopped Arystanov but Benedictine's Nima Samadian was able to follow up his shot and give the visitors an early 1-0 lead.

Baker looked to have a penalty opportunity of its own about 15 minutes later with a dangerous foul near the box, but it was ruled to have occurred right outside the line, which allowed El Idrissi to set up in a prime location.

The Moroccan midfielder's ensuing strike curled over the leaping hand of the BC keeper and into the back of the net to tie the match at 1-1.

The score remained tied into the second half until another handball penalty was called in the 59th minute, this time on the Ravens to allow BU a chance to take the lead. Itadani followed with a clinical PK to push the Wildcats out in front, 2-1.

Hurla tacked on what could have been an important insurance goal in the 75th right before BU would go down a man. A long ball over the top from Rens Rambaldo allowed Hurla to get behind the BC defense and finish off his first goal of 2025 to seal the 3-1 victory for the Wildcats.

El Idrissi and Hurla each tallied their first goals of the season, while Itadani recorded the third goal of his sophomore campaign. It was the first assist of the year for Rambaldo, who became the eighth different Wildcat to earn an assist this season, with El Idrissi sitting as the club-leader with three.

Wednesday's match also marked the fifth straight match that the Wildcats have played an opponent that is either ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Top-25 Poll. Furthermore, seven of the nine teams they have faced this year have been featured in the poll.

Up next, Baker continues the homestand and faces Mount Mercy, who sits at second in the conference, on Saturday, Sept. 27, with kickoff from Hartley Field set for 3:30 p.m.

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