Box Score CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Parkland men's soccer defeated No. 12 Heartland Community College (7-4-2) on Wednesday, October 9th. The Cobras (5-5-3) beat the Hawks 4-1 at home, ending a three-game losing streak. 
 
Parkland fell behind early after Heartland scored in the 8th minute. Ten minutes later, Santiago Samame scored for the Cobras, quickly followed up by another goal from Shion Hayashi. The Cobras went into the half leading 2-1. Neither team was able to score until the 80th minute, when Shion Hayashi found the back of the net again. William Arana provided some insurance in the last several minutes of the match, scoring his fourth goal of the season in the 88th minute. 
 
"To be successful in a match up against two fairly equal teams, we had to stay focused and within the moment, match their quality and look to find players that will bring moments of brilliance," Parkland head coach Mark Sikora stated. "We were on our heels a bit in the beginning but after we scored our first goal, we found both of those. For the most part, everyone put in great shifts, especially goalkeeper Matteo Puli, but today's success fell firmly on the efforts of Hidenori Akasaka, Shion Hayashi, Santiago Samame, William Arana, and Immanuel Nwosu. Their constant defensive efforts from advanced positions were outdone but their creative and relentless attacking play."
 
Parkland outshot Heartland 8-3 in the match. Matteo Puli had 2 saves in the win. 
 
"It was certainly our most comprehensive victory to date against one of the nation's elite and I truly hope that this is a sign of things to come," Sikora concluded. 
 
Up next, Parkland returns to action on Saturday, October 12th, at St. Louis Community College (3-5-2). The match is scheduled for 1:30 PM. 
 
Scoring Summary:
HEARTLAND GOAL: 8th minute
PARKLAND GOAL: 18th minute – Santiago Samame (Assisted by Hidenori Akasaka)
PARKLAND GOAL: 19th minute – Shion Hayashi (Assisted by Umberto Tucceri) 
PARKLAND GOAL: 80th minute – Shion Hayashi (Assisted by William Arana)
PARKLAND GOAL: 88th minute – William Arana