ELGIN, ILL. - It happened in the blink of an eye. The Madison College men's soccer team watched a 2-0 halftime lead evaporate in a 4-3 loss at Elgin Community College on Tuesday, snapping a string of three consecutive season's without a loss in the first game on the schedule. The loss also marks the first in three all-time meetings against the Spartans, whom the WolfPack had defeated by a combined total of 21-0 in head-to-head matchups each of the past two seasons.

Sophomore forward and University of Charleston (WV) transfer Dejesus Herrera opened the scoring with his first goal of the season in the 14'. Then just before the half, second year midfielder/forward Mintesinote Urban used a Shane Paterson pass to find the back of the net for a 2-0 advantage. The scoring strike was the first collegiate goal for the native of Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin.

Just minutes into the second half, the game spiralled out of control for the WolfPack. Elgin Community College (2-0) freshman forward Sam Epperly registered two goals within a minute of each other to even the contest. Still looking for answers, the WolfPack surrendered a third goal less than two minutes later to find themselves now trailing 3-2.

The scoring flurry continued as freshman Abel Araya, a midfielder/forward from Santiago, Chile, notched the equalizer with his first collegiate goal in the 56'. The successful kick was assisted by sophomore Fabian Perez. The match remained tied into the 63' when the Spartans tallied the game-winner past freshman goalkeeper Saxon LaFlash.

Over the final 28 minutes, Madison College was outshot by a 6-1 margin, while ECC also attempted three more corner kicks over that stretch to keep the pressure on the the WolfPack defense.

For the match, Elgin attempted 23 shots, including 17 on goal, compared to seven shots by Madison with four on goal. LaFlash was credited with seven saves

Up Next: 

Madison College (0-1) remains on the road this week with a match at Illinois Valley Community College (0-3) on Friday, August 31. The 'Pack is 3-0 all-time against the Eagles, with all three win coming in the last two years and by a combined scored of 14-4. Kickoff is at 4:00 p.m.

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