Box Score CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 8 ranked Parkland College men's soccer team advanced to the next round of the NJCAA DII Central District Championship with an 8-0 win over John Wood Community College on Tuesday, October 24. The Cobras (13-3-2) quickly powered past the Blazers (5-10-2) with three first-half goals and freshman Hidenori Akasaka completed a hat trick with two late goals at the Parkland College Soccer Field. Shion Hayashi added two goals and two assists of his own as five different Cobras scored and six provided assists in the win.
 
"The work done by Hidenori Akasaka and Shion Hayashi early in the match really set the tone, and we just tried to keep the pressure on, limiting their opportunities," Parkland College head coach Mark Sikora highlighted after the win.
 
"More important than the score, the way we played was top form. Our scoring opportunities came from clean, solid play from front to back, with all players playing their part."
 
Scoring Summary:
PARKLAND GOAL: Shion Hayashi 16' (Assisted by William Arana)
PARKLAND GOAL: Hidenori Akasaka 24' (Assisted by Shion Hayashi)
PARKLAND GOAL: Nathan Torres 43' (Assisted by Shion Hayashi)
            Halftime
PARKLAND GOAL: Mattia Ribezzi 51' (Assisted by Grant Koplinski)
PARKLAND GOAL: Grant Koplinski 56' (Assisted by Mattia Ribezzi)
PARKLAND GOAL: Shion Hayashi 66' (Assisted by Ron Naftali)
PARKLAND GOAL: Hidenori Akasaka 81' (Assisted by Logan Woodward)
PARKLAND GOAL: Hidenori Akasaka 87' (Assisted by Grant Koplinski)
 
Up next, the Cobras will host conference rival No. 13 Heartland Community College in the NJCAA DII Region 24 Final on Saturday, October 28. Kick-off against the Hawks (7-4-5) is TBD.