Shootout ends the post-season for WolfPack men’s soccer

Clarion Staff Report

A tie and a scoreless game against one of the Madison College men’s soccer teams toughest rivals ended the WolfPack’s regular season and post season. 

Three days after wrapping up the regular season with a 2-2 tie against Harper College, the two teams had to face off in the semifinals of the NJCAA Region 4 Division III tournament in Madison on Oct. 19. 

This time, neither team was able to score during regulation or two overtime periods. The match went to a penalty shoot-out, and the fourth-seeded Hawks prevailed over the top-seeded WolfPack, 4-3. 

Throughout the match, Madison College pressed hard on offense, posting a 15-7 advantage in total shots and a 7-1 lead in shots on goal. But they weren’t able to put the ball in the net. 

The shootout lasted six rounds, before Madison College was unable to match a penalty kick score by Harper. 

Madison College finished the season 10-3-2 overall and as runner up in the conference title chase. The WolfPack is now just 1-5 against Harper in post-season play. 

Harper had a nine-match winning streak against Madison College snapped on Oct. 16, when the two teams battled to a 2-2 draw. Isaak Cordova and Jonas Luskey Sanders both scored for the WolfPack in the match.  

Madison College’s chance for its first conference title in five years slipped away when Harper scored two second half goals and held off the WolfPack in two overtime periods.  

As a result of the tie, both teams finished 6-1-1 in conference play and Harper was awarded the conference title based on its earlier 3-2 victory against Madison College.