Box Score CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Parkland men's soccer team were upset by Heartland Community College in the NJCAA Central Region 24 Regional Finals on Monday, losing 2-1. Heartland CC entered the game as the second seed in region 24 but defeated top-seeded Parkland thanks to two second half goals, including an own goal in the 73^rd minute.
 
The Cobras (14-3-1) could not have asked for a better start, as captain Guiseppe Verracchia converted a penalty kick in the first minute. The Hawks (10-5-1) defense settled into the game after that, holding the Cobras to zero shots the rest of the first half. The score was still 1-0 at halftime, but the momentum shifted when Heartland was awarded a penalty kick of their own and Andrew Dempster buried it to knot the game back up in the 60^th minute. The drama intensified and in the 73^rd minute when a Charlie Bushby shot was deflected and sneaked past Sebastian Staddon, the Cobras backup goalkeeper. Tensions boiled over after the frustrating go-ahead goal, leading to two Parkland red cards late in the game and when the final whistle blew, the Cobras season had ended abruptly.
 
Head coach Mark Sikora said after the game, "Outside of a dream start for us when Guiseppe converted a penalty kick in the first minute, today was a struggle all the way around. I did a poor job in preparation for this match, and we were unable to rise to the level that we had grown accustomed to for many weeks. We did have a few great moments towards the end of the match but playing two men down against a cagey opponent was too big of a hole to climb out from in the last 5 minutes. I know that the last few days have been extremely difficult for the team, issues that are much larger than a game, but I continue to be proud of everyone them for what they continue to give as student-athletes at Parkland College. They have achieved a very high standard on the national level, just did not reach our ultimate soccer goal."
 
Scoring Summary:
Parkland Goal: Guiseppe Verracchia 1' (Unassisted (PK))
Heartland CC Goal: Andrew Dempster 60' (Unassisted (PK))
Heartland CC Goal: Own Goal 73' (Unassisted)