The Dominican University men's soccer team advanced to the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) championship match with a 3-0 shutout victory over the Aurora University Spartans on Wednesday afternoon in River Forest.
 
"We won but we need to be better," said Erick Baumann, the Stars' head coach in his 20^th season, when asked about his team's performance.  "Teams with consistent discipline, purpose and commitment are the teams that win games and championships this time of year."
 
Zach Watson (Carol Stream, Ill.) and Gabriel Gongora (Naperville, Ill.) combined for the shutout, the ninth of the season for Stars, as the Dominican defense limited the Spartans to just six shots, three on goal.  Gongora was credited with three saves in the second half while Watson picked up the win, playing the first 45 minutes and facing just two shots.
 
The Stars tallied what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 17^th minute when Ryan Ybarra (Des Plaines, Ill.) played a ball to Gabriel Garcia (Midway, Ill.) behind the Aurora back line near the corner of the 18-yard box.  Garcia took a touch and ripped a shot inside the far post past the Spartans' Zach McFarland.
 
The score remained 1-0 all the way until the 56^th minute when Zack Venzon (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) left a pass for Frankie Saiz (Naperville, Ill.) near the top of the 18-yard box.  Saiz cut a defender and got off a left-footed shot with pace that beat McFarland to the far post again.
 
Dominican then tacked on an insurance goal, taking advantage of one of 12 corner kick restarts surrendered by the Spartans, as Trent Miller's (Rockford Ill.) service found Manuel Pillado's (Elk Grove, Ill.) head in the middle of the six-yard box.  Pillado placed a header in the back of the goal for his second goal of the season.
 
In total, Dominican outshot the Spartans 13-6, placing eight shots on frame in a very physical match.  The Spartans were whistled for 15 fouls and issued three cautions, all in the second half, while Dominican was called for six fouls and received one caution.
 
With the win, Dominican advances to the NACC Tournament championship match where they will host the winner of MSOE and Benedictine, the other semifinal match.  Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.