CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Parkland Men's Soccer Team moved to 11-6-1 with a 4-1 post season Region 24 tournament victory over Southwestern Illinois College. Sophomore Yu Sasaki (2 goals, 1 assist) earned 5 offensive points to become the Cobras all-time leader (58 points) in that category, surpassing the 2016 mark of Johnny Pugh (56 points).
Parkland's Jonathan Velasquez (2 goals) scored two first-period goals, assisted by Seungbong Song (1 assist) and Sasaki, and creating a 2-0 lead for the hosts at the half. Early in the second period, however, Noah Williams of SWIC scored off an assist from teammate Trent Calvert. As the intensity of the match was increasing, Sasaki scored two unassisted goals, providing a cushion for the Cobras. Parkland produced 17 shots on goal, while the defense ultimately allowed only 3 for SWIC, and Matteo Gigliozzi saved two of those to preserve the victory.
Coach Mark Sikora expressed, "We played fairly well against a well-coached, organized team. Things did not always go to plan, but overall we held firm and scored some timely goals. I know that Yu and Jonathan will be mentioned for their goals, and rightly so, but today belonged to Mikey Garza who was all over the field and set the tone for our defending mentality. He showed great grit for a freshman in his first playoff game.
Sikora added, "(Parkland) also got great work from Harry Messitt, who was asked to play a few different roles today, and we got a great shift from Jack Thain, who was called on to put pressure on the SWIC backline and did so."
Men's Soccer will play in round 2 of the Region 24 tournament on Saturday, October 26th, against an opponent, and at a time and place, to be determined.
