Men’s soccer takes regionals

EAST PEORIA — From the first whistle you could sense that both teams were going at it. Southwestern Illinois College was here to play the Cougars for the region title, and both teams were neck in neck in this fixture.

In the November 1 match, both teams were doing everything well when it came to attacking and defending, displaying a real match of soccer. The game was destined to impress the audience, and it did just that.

The first half started very well for ICC. Sophomore Caue Rodrigues put ICC up one with a great strike from 30 yards out. After the goal, ICC started to take things less seriously, diving at every opportunity they could.

For a good 20 minutes it was hard to tell whether it was a soccer field or a swimming pool for all that was happening on the field was diving. ICC was awarded a penalty which Rodrigues converted with ease to put the home team up 2-0. But then the diving seemed to fade away as halftime approached.

In the second half, ICC kept mounting pressure on SWIC and from the first whistle ICC players were on the front foot. SWIC tried getting back into the game by taking a lot of long ranged shots but saw most of them sail wide or comfortably dealt with by ICC’s keeper.

In the 50th minute after a great show of individual skill, sophomore Carson Gray put ICC up 3-0, and from that instant there seemed no way back for the southwesterners. Sophomore Adama Keita didn’t help SWIC defensive woes when he made it 4-0 after a beautiful build-up play by ICC.

After that goal, things got out of control. SWIC let the pressure get to them and started committing unnecessary fouls. This lead to two SWIC players getting sent off. Then a third after frustration got the better of SWIC #7 as he kicked a player in the foot. He made no challenge to get the ball and instead got a piece of the player.

SWIC then had 8 men, and ICC played smartly, knocking the ball around to run the clock down, solidifying their victory and place as Region 24 champions.

“I think that we were a little more focused this week in training — especially after that [last] game that was so tight,” said Coach Oz Bakirdan, referring to their October 29 match against Lincoln. “I told the boys that we had to get the first goal and I thought that would settle the game, and it really did. And once we got the second goal I felt very comfortable.”

This comfortable win should do their confidence no harm when they face MCC-Blue River at ICC next Saturday at noon in the Central District Finals. The winner will proceed to nationals on November 17.