ROCKFORD, ILL. - Despite an early goal that put the #17-ranked Madison College men's soccer team in a deficit, Wednesday's Region 4 match at Rock Valley College resulted in a 4-1 victory to extend their season-opening win streak to seven matches. Sophomore Hudson Nielsen recorded his second consecutive multi-goal game, as well as his third in the last five outings, while fellow second year Cole Rogers netted the game winner with a penalty kick in the second half. The decision also extends the WolfPack's streak of a win or tie against the Golden Eagles to six straight matches, and boosts the all-time series lead to 15-6-2.

Rock Valley College (4-3-1) jumped ahead 1-0 in the 17' as they were able to bust through the WolfPack defense and send a successful kick past first year goalkeeper Caylen Coventry. The native of Barcelona, Spain, has surrendered just three goal in his 430-plus minutes in goal.

The score remained a one-goal differential until late in the half when Nielsen netted the first of his two goals. Following a nifty spin move by freshman Jorge Mendoza to maintain possession on the defensive half, the ball was played up to first year forward Carson Stebbins, who then dumped in a pass for Nielsen. The forward from Huntley, Illinois, sliced between two defenders to play the ball away from the net and goalkeeper, leaving himself an open look from just outside the right post.

Still even at 1-1 and more than 20 minutes into the second half, Madison earned a penalty kick. Rogers, a midfielder from Aukland, New Zealand, lasered a successful kick inside the left post while the goalkeeper dove towards the right post. It's his fourth goal of the season, matching his scoring output from 2024. 

Now playing with a 2-1 lead, the WolfPack continued to apply pressure and eventually tacked on two more goals. The Madison College transition game was on full display as the clock moved into the 76' and the Pack defense worked to clear the ball from the RVC offensive attack. It ended up at the feet of freshman Josh Kiltz, and the Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, native quickly moved up the field before sending a pass ahead to Johan Lopez. Lopez dribbled all the way to the endline and navigated a pass past the goalkeeper and back towards the net, where Kiltz continued to track it and kicked in his third goal this season.



The final goal came in the 82' with Lopez' second assist finding Nielsen for his second goal. It was the result of a RVC turnover near midfield, and a pair of passes that eventually led to a one-on-one for Nielsen, who scored with a move to his left to beat the 'keeper. Nielsen leads the team with six goals on the season and has 16 for his career. Lopez is tied for second on the team with three assists.

Madison finished with a 17-9 edge in total shots and an 11-4 advantage in shots on goal. Rogers and Justyn Blair head had three shots to lead the Pack, while Nielsen and Rogers both registered two shots on goal. 

Coventry finished with three saves and one goal allowed. The WolfPack currently boasts a 29-4 scoring differential on the season, and are tied for eighth in the nation in goals allowed.



Up Next:

Madison College (7-0-0) is off until Wednesday, September 24 when they host Triton College (5-0-3) for a Region 4 clash that opens a four-match homestand. The Trojans, who were receiving votes in the latest NJCAA Division III Poll, have dominated the all-time series by a 24-7-1 margin. Kickoff at Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Pitch-East is at 6:30 p.m. and can be live streamed at MadisonCollege.tv.

The doubleheader with Triton College will also be Student Parent Family Night, a kid-friendly event to celebrate all Madison College student parents.

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