DES PLAINES, ILL. - The Madison College men's soccer team knew they were not going to be an easy out in the 2024 NJCAA Region 4 Division II Tournament, and they proved that Thursday night with a 2-1 overtime victory over Oakton College in the tournament's first round. Freshman Junior Guerrero provided the golden goal winner less than three minutes into the extra session that propelled the #9-seeded WolfPack past the #8-seeded Owls and into the quarterfinals. The victory avenges a 2-1 loss in the season opener against Oakton, who still leads the brief all-time series by a 2-1 tally.

Scoreless for the first 35 minutes, Oakton College (7-7-1) changed that with a miraculous shot in the 36' after first year defender Jacob Unger's shot was blocked. The re-direct was cleared out by the Owls and taken to midfield by sophomore forward Erik Jiminez. There he unleashed a long-range shot into a strong wind and at a time when WolfPack goalkeeper Victor Dalum was playing near to the top of the penalty box. The ball sailed over Dalum and into the net for a 1-0 lead.

It remained a one-goal game until the 74' when Madison College netted the equalizer. Off an Alfredo Herrera throw in along the right boundary, second year forward John Soberon-Chehade played the ball over to midfielder Felipe Dewes in traffic. Dewes sent the ball right back as Soberon-Chehade sprinted through the Owls' back line for a one-on-one look against the Oakton College goalkeeper. Soberon-Chehade precisely lasered a shot between the keeper and the right post to even the score at 1-1.



The WolfPack were unable to score again despite three shots and one on goal over the final 15 minutes as the match was headed to overtime. As the extra time moved into the 93', speedy sophomore Carter Uhlmann ran down a lose ball towards the end line and was able to stop himself and the ball as he juked an on-coming defender. Uhlmann then penetrated the penalty box along the end line, and as he drew the attention of more Owls players and the goalkeeper, he chipped a pass towards the far post for Guerrero to head into the send. And the celebration began.



The golden goal by Guerrero is the second goal of the season and first game-winner for the native of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Soberon-Chehade, a former Madison West HS athlete, now boasts four goals. The assists from Uhlmann and Dewes are their fifth and third, respectively, this fall. 

Dalum finished the match with two saves and one goal allowed. Madison College generated a 13-6 lead in total shots and an 8-3 edge in shots on goal.

Up Next:

Madison College (10-4-2) is on to the 2024 Region 4 Division II Tournament Quarterfinals and will look to upset top-seeded Moraine Valley Community College (10-1-2) on Sunday, November 3. The Cyclones, ranked #15 in the latest NJCAA Division II Poll, are 3-0 all-time against the WolfPack, including a 2-1 decision in Palos Hills, Illinois, on August 31. Kickoff is at noon and the winner advances to the semifinals on Wednesday, November 6. 



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