Box Score Updated Bracket
BENSENVILLE, Ill. – The third-seeded Harper College men's soccer team pulled off a 1-0 victory over second-seeded Triton College to advance to the Region IV Championship on Saturday. Alex Freeman (/St. Viator)'s penalty kick goal in the 34th minute proved to be the difference as the Hawks' defense and goalkeeper Irvin Velazquez (/Hersey) shut down the Trojans' attack.
"I'm proud of the guys, and we are excited to get a chance on Saturday," said Harper head coach Dan Klaus. "We had to stay disciplined defensively, and offensively we had to really be efficient with our chances."
Freeman nearly put the Hawks (8-5-2) ahead in the 26th minute, as he took a feed from Elliot Lara (/Home School) and faked out Triton (10-7) goalie Luis Garcia. However, Freeman's shot ricocheted off the post, keeping the game scoreless.
Harper was rewarded with a penalty kick at the 33:35 mark as Julio Martinez was handed a yellow card for tripping Lara in the box. Freeman lined up the PK and put it into the right side of the net to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead.
Midfielder Jaime Quintana (Lake in the Hills, Ill./Huntley) appeared to give Harper a 2-0 lead with just 31.9 seconds remaining in the first half on a free kick goal, but it was waived off due to a penalty on the play.
The Trojans had a couple of chances to tie the game in the second, including a Milos Sretkovic shot that struck the post and a Martinez shot that Velazquez (six saves) made a key save on. In the closing seconds, Triton had one final corner kick attempt that put pressure on the Hawks, but Harper cleared the ball out of the box to seal the victory.
"This win is huge. We just have to keep working," said sophomore defender Aldo Figueroa (Wheeling, Ill./Buffalo Grove). "Being with these guys the whole season and to finally get here, it feels great."
Triton outshot Harper 13-6 in the game. Freeman led the Hawks with three shots.
With the win and #5 Rock Valley College upsetting #1 Joliet Junior College 3-2 on Tuesday afternoon, Harper will host the Region IV Championship game on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 12 PM.
