MADISON, WISC. - In a season-opening matchup of former conference and region rivals, Madison College eeked out a hard-fought 1-0 win over Rock Valley College to start the 2022 men's soccer campaign. The freshman duo of Jacob Howard and Gabe Voung connected for a second-period goal to propel to WolfPack a third consecutive win over the Golden Eagles after sweeping two meeting in 2021. The Pack now boasts a 13-6-1 all-time record against RVC, which was playing its first match as a NJCAA Division II program.

Madison College played much of the first half on their heels, as Rock Valley College (0-1) posted a 10-2 advantage in total shots over the first 45 minutes. Freshman goalkeeper Phil McCloskey and the WolfPack defense were up to the challenge and sent the game to halftime still scoreless.

Less than ten minutes into the second half, the Pack found themselves with an advantage after a sophomore Adriano Ponte initiated a fast break from deep in the WolfPack back third. Ponte exchanged passes with Voung, and the forward set up a hard-charging Howard for an open look at the net. Howard, a midfield/forward from Union Grove, Wisconsin, easily beat the Golden Eagles goalkeeper for his first career goal.



Madison College siezed the momentum from that point on, controlling the ball and creating a 7-4 shot advantage over the final 30-plus minutes. McCloskey, a native of DeForest, Wisconsin, posted ten saves as RVC racked up a 10-6 edge in shots on goal. The visitors also owned a 17-10 lead in total shots and an 8-5 edge in corner kicks.

First year midfield Dominick Ramirez led the Pack with four total shots and put two on goal. Howard matched with two shots at the net on three total attempts. 

Up Next:

Madison College (1-0) is back on the pitch less than 24 hours later with a match at Kankakee Community College (0-0). The Cavaliers and WolfPack have not played since 2010, but the Pack won three of four matches played over two seasons. Game time in Kankakee, Illinois, is at 1:00 p.m. and can be streamed live here.

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