KANKAKEE, ILL - Despite an early deficit, the Madison College men's soccer team was able to extend their current non-losing streak to five matches with a 4-2 road win over Kankakee Community College in Region 4 competition. Freshman João Forte led the way with second multi-goal game of the season to propel the WolfPack to their fourth win in the last five matches, as well as keeping their current non-losing streak intact for a fifth straight match. The Pack also grew their lead in the all-time series with the Cavaliers to a 5-2 tally.

Kankakee Community College (2-4-1) put a goal on the scoreboard first, using a 17' goal against freshman Victor Dalum to take a 1-0 lead. The scoring strike also ended an impressive run of shutouts and scoreless minutes for Dalum and the WolfPack. The goal is the first allowed by Madison College since August 31, ending a streak of four consecutive clean sheets and 383 scoreless minutes. For Dalum, who made a save on the initial shot attempt but saw the rebound get kicked in, the goal snaps a personal stretch of 293 scoreless minutes and three shutouts. 

Madison College netted the equalizer a dozen minutes later when Forte, a forward from São Paulo, Brazil, collected a Felipe Dewes pass after a KCC turnover and lifted a long-range kick to just under the crossbar in the 29' to tie the match 1-1.

As the match resumed in the second half, the WolfPack created another turnover as freshman Hudson Nielsen stole a pass and sent a lead feed down the field for Forte. In a footrace with a Cavaliers defender, Forte got to the ball first and kicked a low ball back across the field to the right post and under the diving goalkeeper to put the visitors ahead 2-1 in the 47'. Forte, who recorded a hat trick on September 4 against UW-Whitewater at Rock County, now boasts a team-leading seven goals this fall.

Prior to Wednesday's game, head coach Logan Fye promoted practice player Max Westfield to the official roster, and the move paid off. Madison College worked the ball around their offensive half when freshman defender Alfredo Herrera took it to the end line before sending a centering pass back into the penalty box. It managed to skip past several players before the first year midfielder from Oregon, Wisconsin, came charging into the box and punched in his first career goal. And it proved to be the game-winner.



Now ahead by a 3-1 count, the WolfPack looked to hold off KCC; however, the home team managed to score on a 2-versus-6 situation to close the gap to 3-2 in the 82'. Madison College added some late breathing room in the 86' as second year forward Carter Uhlmann got behind the defense to score his second goal of the season and fifth of his career. Freshman Rodrigo Lasso was awarded an assist on the play.

Madison College dominated the ball with a 21-5 discrepancy in total shots and a 14-4 edge in shots on goal. Dalum was credited with two saves and two goals allowed, while his counterpart for KCC made ten saves with four goals surrendered.

Lasso and Forte were tied for the most shots on goal with three each.



Up Next:

Madison College (5-2-1) is off until in-state and Region 4 rival Bryant & Stratton College (3-4-2) visits Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Pitch-East on October 2. The WolfPack are 2-0-1 all-time against the Bobcats. Game time is set for 7:15 p.m., following the women's match at 5:00 p.m. Both matches will be live streamed at MadisonCollege.tv. It will also be Teacher/Staff Appreciation Night for both matches.

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