The Knights scored three goals in the span of three minutes late in the first half to take control of the match. The win also moves them into a tie with the Braves in the Region 4 standings.

“This win was big for us,” Eisenhower coach Todd Venman said. “They gave 80 minutes of play today. They came out strong and kept fighting.”

Iroquois (3-5 overall, 2-3 Region 4) had control early in the match. The Braves forced Knights (4-5, 2-3) keeper Gavin Labowski to make a handful of big saves, including a diving stop on an indirect kick at 8:40.

“He works hard,” Venman said. “He can change the whole spectrum of a game. He’s new to the keeper position this year and has really shined for us.”

Eisenhower keeper Gavin Labowski (0) falls on the ball just before Iroquois’ Corey Longo (5) can get a foot on it during the second half of their match at Eisenhower High School.

The Braves were able to convert one of those chances at 14:58. They brought the ball into the offensive zone and were able to play keep away from the Knights until A.J. Brine got the ball on the left side. He moved deeper into the box and fired a sharp angle shot. The kick sailed just over Labowski’s hands and under the crossbar for a 1-0 lead.

The Knights took over control from that point and pressed the issue the remainder of the half. Caudill finally solved Iroquois keeper Collin May at 26:19. Jared Martone got a shot off from a sharp angle. May redirected it, but the ball went right to Caudill who pushed it in to tie the match at 1-1.

That started the offensive outburst for Eisenhower.

Just under 90 seconds later it was Martone’s turn. Ian Goldthwaite sent a centering pass and Martone kicked it just past May’s oustretched hands to give Eisenhower a 2-1 lead.

Caudill was back at it a minute later. Glotz sent a pass ahead and Caudill got to it a split second ahead of May. May was able to stop the initial shot, but the rebound went right back to Caudill who was able to walk it in for his second tally and a 3-1 Eisenhower lead at the half.

Eisenhower's Jared Martone (21) pushes a shot past a diving Iroquois keeper Collin May (1) during the first half of their match at Eisenhower High School, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019. Martone's goal was one of five the Knights scored on the day in a 5-1 win over the Braves.

“There’s a couple things we’ve been working on and the kids are still trying to figure out each other’s skill sets,” Venman said.

Caudill completed the hat trick at 54:08. Glotz brought the ball into the offensive zone and got a pass away just before tumbling to the ground. The pass was right on the money to Caudill and he wasted little time sending a laser past May.

Luke Smelko closed out the scoring with a penalty kick goal at 60:55.

Eisenhower hosts Harbor Creek Monday.

Eisenhower's Daren Glotz (15) leaps to push the ball away from Iroquois' Josh Pachell (12) during their match at Eisenhower High School, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019. The Knights defeated the Braves, 5-1.