The Madison College men’s soccer team entertained a lackluster Milwaukee Area Technical College team in a nine-goal thriller on Oct. 5, a fitting way for the WolfPack to celebrate its Sophomore Night. 

The WolfPack eventually secured the 7-2 win to go 9-1-3 on the season before their push to the NJCAA Region IV Tournament. 

On the brisk and rainy autumn night, forward Dejesus Herrera became the all-time scoring leader for Madison College with 20 goals and counting.

The WolfPack were on the hunt early.  Fullback Will Hamilton tested the Stormer’s defense early with a great ball from midfield through the back line, but Dejesus Herrera’s shot was well saved. 

Just five minutes later a near-identical ball was played from Hamilton, and this time Herrera spotted the Stormer’s keeper off of his line and chipped the ball beautifully into the back of the net.  Herrera’s 19th goal of the season was enough to share the all-time Madison College goal scoring record.

Two minutes later another great ball was played in from Hamilton, this time from just outside of the box in the corner, and forward Brandon Griffin tucked it away from close range for a 2-0 lead.

Another couple of minutes passed by and yet another cross came in from Hamilton, which Herrera tapped in at the near post for 3-0.  With this goal, Herrera became the outright season scoring leader in Madison College history at 20 goals.

Throughout the first half, Milwaukee scarcely managed to get the ball into the WolfPack half.  The calm and cool defensive play from center-backs Evan Bartz and Elpidio Placca proved essential for keeping attacks at bay.

The two goals the Stormers did manage to come up with were incidental at best.  The first came in the 27th minute by way of a free kick from 34 yards out, after it came off of the foot of a man in the Madison College wall.  The second came from a cross-gone-wrong, which ended up sailing over the keeper and bouncing in off of the post in spectacular fashion.

After a few chances flew over the bar, Brandon Griffin managed to put a strong shot on target in the 34th minute.  The Stormer’s keeper only managed to parry the shot away, but it went straight onto the foot of the patiently waiting Fabian Perez.  The second-year forward took advantage,and put Madison College even further out of reach of the Stormers.

The first half finished with both sides keen on sitting back and not allowing attacks through the middle.  When the whistle went it was 4-2 to Madison College.  During the break the rain began to pour, and worsened footing for players on both sides.

The second half began in the same manner as the first. The WolfPack immediately began seeking more goals, and in the 46th minute a corner ball came in from Jonas Luskey-Sanders which found the foot of Brandon Griffin and then the back of the net for his second of the day.  Just two minutes later, Luskey-Sanders would find the back of the net himself after some good footwork at the top of the box.

Some 20 minutes later after potent defending from both sides, Dejesus Herrera managed to weave himself into the corner.  The usual goal-scorer sent in a great cross to his strike partner Brandon Griffin, who took full advantage of the space afforded to him by the Stormers’ defense and slotted home for the seventh Madison College goal on the night, and his third.

Clearly fatigued after a busy match and annoyed with the heavy rain, the players slowed down the speed of play significantly.  After the 7-2 victory, the Madison College sophomores took to the center circle to be recognized.

The NCJAA Region IV Tournament will begin Saturday, Oct. 13, once conference play is finalized and teams are seeded.  More information on the quarterfinals will be available at madisoncollegeathletics.com.