MADISON, WISC. - Rain and mosquitoes could not prevent the Madison College men's soccer team from enjoying a successful start to the home portion of their 2018 schedule, which they did with a 3-1 defeat of rival Rock Valley College on Wednesday at Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Pitch-East. The win also gives the WolfPack a 1-0 start in the North Central Community College Conference season for the third year in a row.

For the second straight game, sophomore transfer and former Madison West athlete Dejesus Herrera enjoyed a two goal performance. The forward opened the scoring the 4' by taking a Will Hamilton pass and putting it in the back of the net, marking the match's only goal of the first half.



After Rock Valley College (1-2, 0-1) scored the equalizer in the 61' against goalkeeper Saxon LaFlash, the WolfPack reassumed the lead with a game-winner from sophomore Brandon Griffin. The 79' goal was the first of the year, and second of his career, for Griffin, which also came courtesy of a Hamilton pass. The Mundelein, Illinois, native and transfer from NCAA Division II Wartburg College now leads the team in assists with two.

Less than two minutes later, the 'Pack added some breathing room with another successful scoring strike from Herrera, giving him a team-best five on the young season. Herrera currently sits fifth in all of NJCAA Division III in goals scored.

The match played out quite evenly, with Madison College attempted seven shots on goal to RVC's 5, part of a 15 to 12 differential in total shots. LaFlash, who hails from Madison, Wisconsin, was credited with three saves in the match.

The victory extends the WolfPack's win streak over the Golden Eagles to six straight and boosted their lead in the all-time series to 8-2-1.

Up Next:

Madison College (2-1, 1-0) will remain home and continue N4C play on Friday when Triton College (3-1, 2-1) comes to Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Pitch-East. The Trojans own a 6-18-1 edge in head-to-head matchups, the most recent of which was the 2017 NJCAA Region IV Championship that was decided in penalty kicks. The match will begin at 7:00 p.m. as the nightcap of a Madison College soccer doubleheader starting at 4:00 p.m., and will be part of a soccer doubleheader with the Madison College men. It will also be Youth & High School Night, with free admission to an player under 18 years old wearing their team jersey.

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