ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Regents men's soccer team wrapped up its 2012 season on Wednesday afternoon against the Benedictine University Eagles. It turned out to be another tough day on the field for Rockford as the team quickly fell behind 1-0 less than 8 minutes into the match. The Eagles tacked on three more goals in the first half taking a 4-0 lead into halftime. Each team scored a single goal in the second half as the Eagles defeated the Regents 5-1.
The highlight of the match came courtesy of senior Nathan Sweet (Flint, Mich./Grand Blanc). Just over 6 minutes into the second half Sweet smashed a shot into the upper right hand corner of the goal from around 25 yards away. It was Sweet's first goal of the 2012 season and the 7th goal in his collegiate career. Senior goalkeeper Mick Goulding (Midlothian, Ill./Bemen) made 5 saves in the match to bring his season total to 163, by far the most saves in the Northern Athletics Conference. Senior Derek Garcia (Derby, Kan./Derby) took one shot in the game. Garcia was tied for the team-high with 2 goals this season. Senior Joe Flinton (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga Springs) finished his only season on the men's soccer team recording both a goal and an assist. Senior defender Jibril Chaaban (Richton Park, Ill./Yorkville) also played in his final game and was a solid defender for Rockford in his two years as a member of the Regents men's soccer team.
Rockford finished the 2012 season with an overall record of 2-16-1 and a 0-10-1 record in the Northern Athletics Conference.