DES PLAINES, ILL. - Saturday's Region 4 women's soccer match between Madison College and Oakton College turned into the Emlyn Knutson show as the freshman became the fourth player in program history to score five or more goals in a single match, propelling the WolfPack to an 8-0 win in a mercy-rule shortened match. The career-high goals for the freshman are the most in a match since Angelina Perez netted five in 2021, and sit one shy of tying the team record. Madison College owns a three-match non-losing streak to start the season, and boasts a 2-0 all-time series lead over the Owls.

Knutson and the Pack got the scoring started early with a 3' goal to seize the early lead. The forward took a throw-in from Suzy Hinds Cruz and worked her way towards the goal, and after her initial shot attempt was denied by the Oakton College (1-4) goalkeeper, Knutson knocked in the rebound for the 1-0 lead. 



Ten minutes later, Madison had a corner kick and fellow first year Chloe Voung lofted a pass towards the front of the net where the 5'9" Knutson out-jumped the competition for a successful header and a 2-0 lead. 

Hinds Cruz, a second year midfielder, pushed the advantage to 3-0 with a steal and a goal in the 19' after the picked off a pass deep in the Owls defensive zone and immediately delivered a scoring strike just under the crossbar. The goal is her fourth of the season and 17th of her career. 

A couple minutes later, a poor goalie kick by the Owls resulted in a turnover and Knutson battling two defenders for possession just inside the penalty area. After splitting the defenders, she sent a right-footed kick back towards the left post for a 4-0 lead and her first career hat trick. She added yet another goal in the first half with a successful penalty kick in the 36' to make it 5-0 at halftime.

The Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, connection of Knutson and Voung teamed up again in the 53' to complete her career day. Voung delivered another perfect pass into the heart of the Owls defense, where Knutson controlled it and then tapped it past the charging goalkeeper for an easy look at an open net. 



Madison College continued to add to their lead in the second half with a 56' scoring strike from sophomore Finley LaFlash, giving Voung a third assist in the match. Voung then closed out the win herself with an unassisted goal in the 59'. The match ended in the 70' with the NJCAA's new eight-goal mercy rule.

Knutson now leads the team with six goals on the season and 14 points. Voung's three assists are the first of her career as she leads the team in that category. The goal by LaFlash was the first career goal for the native of Madison, Wisconsin. 

Not to be overlooked, the Madison College defense held their own and did not allow a single shot in the match, giving sophomore goalkeeper Kaelyn Welch her first clean sheet of the season and sixth shutout win of her career. The WolfPack posted a 19-0 advantage in total shots and an 11-0 lead in shots on goal. 

Up Next:

Madison College (2-0-1) is back home on Wednesday, September 10 for a Region 4 clash with Kankakee Community College (1-4). The all-time series favors the WolfPack, who are 2-0-1 against the Cavaliers since 2022. Kickoff is at 3:00 p.m. at Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Pitch-East. It is Teacher/Staff Appreciate Day, as well.

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