Harper College repeats with second Region 4 title in 2021 calendar

LaSALLE, ILL. - The 2021 calendar has proven to be extremely special for the Harper College men's soccer team, who followed a highly successful spring season with another championship run this fall. The Hawks used a 4-2 defeat of Illinois Valley Community College to claim the 2021 NJCAA Region 4 Division III Men's Soccer Tournament and successfully defend their 2020 title earned in an altered spring season. Freshman midfielder Jonathan Rivas was named Region 4 Tournament Most Valuable Player, while Andre Watson earned Region 4 Coach of the Year for the second straight season.

The third-seeded Eagles jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the first half, but the fourth-seeded Hawks answered with a resounding effort in the second half. Following a 62' equalizer from Aaron Bustamente, Rivas followed with the game-winner in the 63'. Rivas also provided Harper College with some breathing room when he tallied his second goal in the 82' and send Harper College to the title. The opportunity to play for a second-straight championship nearly didn't happen, however, Harper College got past top-seeded Madison College with a shootout win following a scoreless 110-minutes.

The Hawks advanced to and hosted the NJCAA Midwest District Tournament, but would see their season come to an end in a shootout loss to Region 13 champion Anoka-Ramsey Community College (MN) in the tournament semifinals. Region 4 runner-up IVCC also fell in the semifinals by a 9-1 count against eventual NJCAA Division III national champion Richland College (TX). Harper College finished the year 12-5-1, while the Eagles went 13-8.

Region 4 Tournament MVP
Jonathan Rivas - Harper College

Region 4 Coach of the Year
Andre Watson - Harper College