ROCKFORD, ILL. - It may be cliché, but Wednesday's North Central Community College Conference men's soccer match between Madison College and Rock Valley College was much closer than the score would make it seem. In the end, the #2-ranked Golden Eagles defended their home pitch with a 4-1 win over the WolfPack, with all five goals coming in the match's final 20 minutes and four goals within a four-minute span. RVC won both contests with the 'Pack this season to narrow the all-time series to 10-5-1 in favor of Madison College.

Despite a final tally of five goals, the match was more of a defensive tussle for the first 70 minutes of action. Neither team was able to break through the oppositions defense. The team's combined for 14 total shots in the first half, with each goalkeeper picking up a save. The offensive pressure continued to build throughout the second half until Rock Valley College (4-1, 3-1) finally broke through with a 71' goal. A dozen minutes later, the Golden Eagles added another score off a rebound. Trailing by two, the WolfPack quickly answer off the kickoff as sophomore Samuka Toure found the back of the net just 18 seconds after the RVC goal. Unfortunately for Madison College, two of the next three shots attempted by RVC were able to get through the 'Pack defense and past goalkeeper Sebastian Varela, making it a 4-1 game with just over three minutes to play.

Varela, a second year from San Jose, Costa Rica, was credited with five saves and the four goals allowed. He faced 20 total shots and nine on goal from the Golden Eagles, while the WolfPack generated 14 total shots and put five on goal.

Toure, a native of Brooklyn, New York, registered six shots, including two against the keeper. He now boasts a team-leading four goals on the season. Freshman Matthew Ruggiero was able to put two of his five total shots on goal.

Up Next:

Madison College (2-3-1, 2-3-0) will conclude the N4C schedule with their home finale on Friday, May 7 against 6th-ranked Harper College (5-0, 5-0). The Hawks narrowly got by the WolfPack with a 2-1 decision on April 21 to improve their lead in the head-to-head series by a 19-8-1 margin. Kickoff at Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Pitch-East is at 7:00 p.m. The evening will also be Sophomore Night, with Madison College to honor a five-member class.

Spectators are limited to immediate family only (Fan Policy (PDF)), and the games can be seen live via MadisonCollege.tv.

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