ROCKFORD, ILL. - It may look and feel a little different than in the previous three years, but nonetheless, the Madison College women's soccer team is celebrating their fourth straight North Central Community College Conference championship. Despite suffering a 5-4 loss at Rock Valley College on Wednesday, the WolfPack will share the 2020 N4C title with the Golden Eagles after splitting their regular season series, as well as being the only two teams left competing in a Covid-19-altered spring season. The 'Pack has now owned at least a share of the league championship in four straight years.

The match opened with an early goal for RVC when Frankie Schiro netted the first of her three goals in the 6'. Madison College battled back and was able to own a 2-1 lead going into halftime. Both first half goals come off the foot of freshman Angelina Perez, who was working on her own hat trick. Forward/midfielder Elizabeth Foye set up Perez for her first goal in the 29', giving Foye her first assist of the season. Six minutes later Perez struck again, beating the Golden Eagles goalkeeper by converting a pass from Amelia Clarquist.

Rock Valley College (1-3, 1-1) evened the score quickly in the second half with another Schiro goal just over four minutes in. She made it a hat trick in the 69' and put the hosts ahead 3-2. The Golden Eagles kept pushing forward, and were able to put home two additional goals in the next eight minutes.

Trailing by three, Madison College did not fold, and surged back to get within one with less than ten minutes to play. Clarquist once again used a perfect pass to set up a teammate in the 80' as her team-leading fourth helper was sent to the back of the net by sophomore Emma Strieker. It was the first goal this season for the Janesville, Wisconisn, native. Perez capped her career-day with a third scoring strike in the 82' to mark the first hat trick for Madison College since August 31, 2019. Seeking the equalizer, the WolfPack kept the pressure on, resulting in a pair of corner kicks, but was unable generate any shots on goal.

Both teams finished with ten shots on goal, while RVC had a 17-14 edge in total shots. The WolfPack posted a 7-1 lead in corner kicks. Perez' three-goal effort increased her team-lead in goals and points to seven and 16, respectively. The Madison, Wisconsin, product, converted 75% of her shots on goal and took six shots total. Strieker had three shots, including two on goal and one successful. Clarquist and Brittany Lenz both had two shots on goal. 

First year goalkeeper Marin Stauffacher racked up five saves.

The Golden Eagles own a narrow 8-6-1 record in the all-time series. 

Up Next:

Madison College (3-3, 1-1) will await their assignment for the NJCAA Region 4 Division III Women's Soccer Tournament, which begins with a semifinal on Saturday, May 15. The match will be played at the site of the higher seed. 

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