Box Score CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 9 ranked Parkland College men's soccer team picked up its first conference win in a 2-0 victory over Heartland Community College on Thursday, September 21. The Cobras (7-2-1) scored both goals on set pieces against the Hawks (4-4-2), converting two of their nine corner kicks into goals on second chances and recording six shots on goal. Urbana-native William Arana scored a first-half goal to put Parkland ahead, and forward Hidenori Akasaka provided insurance in the second half with his eighth goal of the season. Parkland goalkeepers Harry Gray and Matteo Puli recorded two saves each in the win.
 
Parkland head coach Mark Sikora was "extremely happy with the way the team handled such a big game in the middle of the season," saying, "We played under control and didn't let the situation overwhelm us and stayed with our plan throughout the match."
 
"The tone was set early with the play from Yahli Cohen, William Arana, and Shion Hayashi in the middle of the field," Sikora added, "And the rest of the team followed their lead, especially our back line and goalkeepers."
 
Scoring Summary:
PARKLAND GOAL: William Arana 15' (Assisted by Hidenori Akasaka)
            Halftime
PARKLAND GOAL: Hidenori Akasaka 61' (Assisted by Hibiki Mizutani)
 
Up next, Parkland faces John Wood Community College at home on Saturday, September 23. Kick-off against the Blazers (2-5) is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.