Box Score

Palatine, Ill- The Harper College men's soccer team survived and advanced in the Region IV playoffs on Wednesday afternoon with a 2-1 victory over Triton College. The Hawks (14-2-1) scored two unanswered goals, both by Ricky Choi, and played a man down for much of the second half to beat the visitors.

Triton (14-4) got on the board first when a poor clearance by the Hawks bounced to Trojan defender, Antal Eduard, who unleashed a half-volley rocket into the side netting of Harper keeper Christian Hyde (/Conant)'s, goal.

As good teams do, Harper knotted the game at 1-1 on a corner kick by Phil Minneci (one assist) minutes later. Minneci sent a bouncing ball into the Trojan's box that Hawk Gorgis Yelda (/Buffalo Grove) dummied. The dummy move allowed Ricky Choi (two goals) to run untouched into the six yard box and a half-volley the ball into the net.

The quality of play declined as the teams became more physical as the half wore on and would remain tied as the referee blew his whistle signaling intermission.

After a much needed cool down period for both teams the second half started out physical, but calmer than the preceding 20 minutes of play.

Both teams played more tentative soccer in the second half as they knew a goal for either side could now result in the game and the season. With both teams playing safely out of the back, a ball was played from the midfield with what looked like too much weight for Choi.

Somehow, trailing by a few yards Choi outraced the Triton defender to the ball. Choi, was able to take a touch forward after winning the race and dribble towards the Trojan keeper who was sprinting at Choi in an effort to cut down the forward's angle and cause a deflection.

Undaunted by the charging keeper, Choi casually dribbled forward and slotted a rolling ball to the far post putting the Hawks up by a score.

Choi has been nothing short of electric for the Hawks this season. The freshman has 18 goals and four assists on the season.

"He's (Choi) been dynamic all year," said Harper coach Dan Klaus. "He has been really coachable too, which I am proud of. His work rate has been on a different level in the second half of this season."

Down by a goal, the Trojans began to attack more in hopes of adding the tying tally. After a red card was shown to Harper defender, Gorgis Yelda (/Buffalo Grove) who had been fantastic all game, the Hawks were forced to sit back and defend for most of the second half.

Things got really interesting when an Angel Sarti (/Hoffman Estates) cross was snagged by Carrasco with about 20 seconds left. The goalkeeper punted the ball and Triton made its last push forward. The Trojans were able to beat keeper Christian Hyde (/Conant), but the ball was cleared off the line by a Harper defender with just four seconds remaining in the match, conserving the score and the win.

Hyde, who made three saves on the day, was strong off his line and in the air all day for the Hawks. Two of his three saves came late in the match on strikes that could have found the back of the net against other keepers. The freshman also kept the Hawks organized against the high pressure attack of Triton.

The Hawks will battle the Madison College Wolfpack on Oct. 22 at noon in the Region IV championship game. Harper lost and tied Madison in the regular season. Madison (13-1-3) advanced to the championship game after beating Rock Valley in penalty kicks on Wednesday afternoon.