ROCKFORD, Ill. - It has been an interesting start to the 2012 season for the Regents men's soccer team. They opened up their campaign on the road this past Saturday in the pouring rain and high winds in a match at Robert Morris University Springfield before returning home to play North Central College in the extreme heat and humidity.

The season opener against Robert Morris was a hard fought low scoring match. Rockford was able to break through first half when senior Derek Garcia (Derby, Kan./Derby) scored Rockford's first goal of the season about 15 minutes into the match. Freshman Paul Cardone (Ithica, N.Y./Ithica) set Garcia up on the play with nicely with pass coming off of a counter attack. Rockford would hold on to the 1-0 lead until the 85th minute when Robert Morris tied the match at 1-1 and appeared to send the match into overtime. However, it was a different Regents team this season as Diego Ramos (Chicago, Ill./Thomas Jefferson) struck right back and scored the game-winning goal in the 88th minute off an excellent pass from senior Nathan Sweet (Flint, Mich./Grand Blanc). Rockford's 2-1 victory marked the second time in as many years that the men's soccer team has won its opening match of the season.  

Rockford then kicked off the home portion of its schedule on Tuesday against the North Central College Cardinals. The Regents played an excellent first half of soccer as senior goalkeeper Mick Goulding (Midlothian, Ill./Bremen) made numerous outstanding saves keeping it to a 1-0 North Central lead at the half. The second half was a different story though as the sweltering heat eventually wore down the Regents and the Cardinals took advantage. North Central scored six second half goals including three in the final ten minutes to win 7-0. With the loss Rockford falls to 1-1 on the season.

The men's soccer team returns to the field on Thursday, September 6th when they host Clarke University. The match is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. at Sam Greeley Field.