PALATINE, Ill. – The Harper College men's soccer team closed out the regular season home schedule on Wednesday afternoon, losing 4-0 to Joliet Junior College.
The game was scoreless for most of the first half with a lot of the action taking place in the center of the field and away from the goals. In the 30th minute, a Joliet forward found himself on a breakaway, all alone with goalie Jorge Caballero (Palatine, Ill., Palatine). The Wolves player put a shot on goal but Caballero turned it away. A second Joliet player attempted a shot seconds later and Caballero made a kick-save. But the ball deflected right back to the Joliet player, who caught Caballero out of position and scored an easy goal.
The Hawks had a chance to answer just two minutes later after being awarded a penalty kick, but Kyle O'Meara (Palatine, Ill., Palatine)'s shot was saved by the Wolves' goalkeeper. Leonardo Altamirano (Wheeling, Ill., Wheeling) had a shot in the 44th minute but his blast sailed over the goal.
After Harper was unable to find the equalizer in the first half, Joliet set out to increase their lead in the second half. The Wolves scored goals in the 63rd minute, 71st minute and 87th minute to decide the final outcome. Caballero was under attack all day, making nice plays in net in the 35th minute, 36th minute, 59th minute and 60th minute. Patrick Norr (Chicago, Ill., Lincoln Park) also had a shot on goal for Harper.
The Hawks have another week off before their final game of the regular season next Wednesday at Madison College. The game is slated to start at 4:00 PM.
