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Posted: Nov 06, 2024

Joliet takes Region 4, Midwest District titles on way to first national tournament

(Image courtesy of Joliet Junior College Athletics)
(Image courtesy of Joliet Junior College Athletics)

JOLIET, ILL. - It may not have been the most traditional route, but in the end, the Joliet Junior College men's soccer team beat the teams in front of them and are now headed to their first-ever national tournament. As the only remaining Division III team left in Region 4, the Wolves played a "Region Championship", also classified as a Sub-District Championship Game, on October 26 and defeated Owens Community College (OH) from Region 12 by a 3-1 final. A week later, JJC dispensed of Region 13 winner Riverland Community College (MN) with a 4-1 decision to claim the NJCAA Midwest District Championship.

The Wolves took an early 1-0 lead against Owens with a Jonathan Mendez goal in the 18' and hung on to the one-goal advantage into the second half. Noah Anhalt made it 2-0 in the 51' and Adrian Gonzalez added more breathing room with a 78' goal before the Express scored in the 79' to prevent the shutout. Ivan Escatel made one save and faced just two shots on goal, while JJC piled up ten shots on goal. (Box Score | Joliet Recap)

With a spot in the national tournament on the line, Joliet Junior College again grabbed an early lead with a 10' goal from Adrian Gonzalez Mart off a penalty kick. It remained a one-goal differential into the second half until the flood gates opened and JJC surged to a 4-0 lead. Noah Anhalt scored his second postseason goal in the 66', which was followed five minutes later by a goal from Mahmood Shehada. Jonathan Mendez added the final score in the 73' before the Blue Devils punched one in with six minutes to play. Goalkeeper Ivan Escatel registered six saves in the win. (Box Score | Joliet Recap)

Joliet Junior College (11-5-2) qualified for its first-ever NJCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championships in Batavia, New York, from November 12-17. They were awarded the #7-seed and will begin with a quarterfinal match against #2-seeded and #4-ranked Nassau Community College (14-1-2) on Tuesday, November 12 at 3:00 p.m.

2024 Region 4 Coach of the Year
Cris Trillo - Joliet Junior College

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