MADISON, WISC. - Nearly the exact same storyline played out as #3 Madison College and #6 Joliet Junior College met in the 2019 NJCAA Region IV Division III Tournament Quarterfinals for a second consecutive year, and both times the script ended with a 2-1 win for the WolfPack. Saturday at Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Pitch-East, the 'Pack rallied with a last minute equalizer by freshman Andy Mendez-Maya to force overtime, which was ended by a golden goal from fellow first year Lucas Martin-Heid that send the home team into a frenzy and onto the semifinals. Madison College, who also used two goals in the final ten minutes in 2018 to erase a 1-0 deficit and eliminate the Wolves, is now 2-2 in postseason matchups with JJC.

The first half saw neither team tally a goal through the first 44 minutes of play, however, as halftime neared, Joliet Junior College was awarded a penalty kick with 50 seconds to play. The Wolves' Leonardo Haro was able to beat Madison College goalkeeper Saxon LaFlash to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Despite increased pressure from the WolfPack throughout much of the second half, the one-goal differential held up until the clock went inside of the final minute of play. With the ball being pin-balled around the top of the penalty area, Mendez-Maya was able to collect it and aim a shot towards the right post. The kick caught the JJC 'keeper leaning the other direction and snuck in to even the score at 1-1. The goal was the fourth in seven games played for the McFarland, Wisconsin, native who joined the team midway through the season. Martin-Heid was credited with an assist on the season-saving goal.



In overtime, Madison College turned in their best transition play to net the game-winner. LaFlash, a former Madison Memorial High School athlete, came out of goal to scoop up the ball, and quickly rolled it out to the left win for freshman Jheison Garcia. With both teams racing down field, Garcia played the ball ahead to another freshman, Pablo Guzman, who bounced perfect lead pass to a streaking Martin-Heid right at the top of the penalty area. As the Joliet goalkeeper came out to meet the forward and the ball, Martin-Heid tapped a kick right past him for the golden goal winner in the 92'. Martin-Heid, who is a native of Oakland, California, also owns four goals and one game-winner on the season. Guzman, a Delavan, Wisconsin, product, boasts two assists.



LaFlash finished with two saves in 91:37 minutes played. Madison College held a 16-7 lead in total shots and a 6-3 edge in shots on goal, which included just one shot over the final 47 minutes by JJC.

Joliet Junior College (6-9-1) still leads the all-time series 12-10-4.

Up Next:

Madison College (7-6-2) will travel to play #2-seed Harper College (14-1) on Tuesday, October 22 in a Region IV Division III Tournament Semfinal rubber-match. The two teams have met in each of the past three postseasons, with the past two get-togethers coming in the semifinal round. The WolfPack picked up a 5-1 win in 2017, while the Hawks advanced in 2018 with a 4-1 decision. Tuesday match will mark the fifth postseason match in the head-to-head series since 2009, with Harper owning a 3-1 lead. The Hawks are also 17-8-1 all-time after sweeping the regular season series by a 10-2 goal differential and extending their win streak to five over the 'Pack. Kickoff in Palatine, Illinois, is set for 2:00 p.m.



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