ROCKFORD, Ill.- The Rockford University men's soccer team returned to action today to play in their home finale on the season against Maranatha Baptist University. The Regents were participating in Senior Day. The team consisted of five seniors John Deleon (Des Plaines, Ill.), Clayton Duffy (Stillman Valley, Ill.), Joseph Romano (Norridge, Ill.), Adijan Kuckovic (Machesney Park, Ill.), and Keith Latham (Sandwich, Ill.). Each senior started in the game and played a huge role in their victory over Maranatha. Rockford won by the final of 5-1.
The Regents and Sabercats were locked in a tight match in the first half as the game was tied 0-0 until the 37th minute. Rockford struck first with Jonathan Hernandez (Chicago, Ill.) drilling the ball into the back of the net off of a beautiful through ball from Kyler McCleland (Arvada, Colo.) who was led off of a pass by Erik Manriquez (Rockford, Ill.). Rockford went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
The score remained at 1-0 into the second half until Hernandez struck again with rocket into the back of the net from 10 yards out off of a through ball from Manriquez. The goal put the Regents ahead 2-0. Rockford increased their lead when a miraculous free kick from 75 yards out, off the leg of, Omar Rivas (Capron, Ill.) bounced over the goalie and into the net to give the team a 3-0 lead. Following with another goal for the Regents was Duffy who earned his first career collegiate goal when he scored off of a cross from Rivas. After a Sabercat goal decreased the lead to 4-1, Romano added his second goal of the season off of an outstanding pass from Duffy. The seniors were outstanding in a victory to cap off their home finale. Rockford earned their sixth victory of the season to give them their most in a decade.
Leading the Regents on the day were Hernandez with 2 goals on 3 attempts. Duffy had 1 goal and 1 assist on 4 shot attempts. Manriquez added 2 assists to push his season total to 9. Rivas and Romano each added 1 goal for Rockford. Rivas also added an assist.
The Rockford University men's soccer team concludes their season Wednesday, October 26 at Aurora University in Aurora, Ill. with a scheduled start time of 2 p.m.
