ROCKFORD, ILL. - The chase for the North Central Community College Conference men's soccer championship is  a three-team race heading into the final week-plus of the regular season, and Madison College did a whole lot to ensure they're part of it with a 3-1 upset win over #7-ranked Rock Valley College on Saturday. The WolfPack used two second half goals to secure the road win and complete a regular-season sweep of the Golden Eagles for the first time since 2018. The victory gives the 'Pack a 12-6-1 edge in the all-time series, and a leg up on RVC ahead of the Region 4 Tournament.

Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first half of play, with Madison College only able to generate one shot on goal in the first 45 minutes. Adriano Ponte, a first year defender/midfielder from Madison, Wisconsin, whose shot was saved by the Rock Valley College (9-2, 5-2) goalkeeper. The Golden Eagles put six shots on goal, however, sophomore 'keeper Sebastian Varela was up to the task. 

The Madison College offense played more aggressive in the second half, producing six shots on goal, and it eventually paid off in the 68'. Ponte's second shot on goal was again denied, but it yielded a corner kick that eventually saw sophomore Lucas Martin-Heid punch a scoring strike through for a 1-0. The goal is the fourth this season for the former Madison West HS athlete, and was assisted by Erick Antimo and Evan Thom. 

Three shots later, Antimo, a freshman from Madison, Wisconsin, set up first year forward Isaak Cordova for a the team's second goal. The successful kick in the 86' provided a little breathing room, and eventually turned out to be the game-winner. Cordova now boasts seven goals to pull even with sophomore Jonas Luskey Sanders for the team lead. 

Less than two minutes later, the Golden Eagles finally beat Varela to cut the two-goal lead in half with about four-and-a-half minutes to play, however, it would mark the final shot attempt of the match. Varela finished with eight saves. The team stats were very even, with RVC producing a 12-10 lead in total shots and a 9-7 advantage in shots on goal. For the WolfPack, Cordova and Antimo each had three total shots, while Cordova, Ponte, and Martin-Heid all put two shots on goal.

Up Next:

Madison College (9-3, 5-1) will conclude the regular season schedule with a pair of home games, the first of which comes Wednesday, October 13 against in-state rival Milwaukee Area Technical College (0-9, 0-7). The WolfPack routed the Stormers by an 11-0 tally to extend their winning streak in head-to-head matches, while the all-time series stands at 47-15-2. Kickoff at Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Pitch-East is at 5:00 p.m.

Watch the game live here.

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