ROCKFORD, Ill. -- The Rockford University men's soccer team outlasted Knox College on Labor Day afternoon, notching its second win of the season, 4-3.
Dasha Curiel, fresh off his hat trick on Saturday, started the scoring for the Regents in the 16th minute, assisted by
Jose Lane Mendoza and
Oziel Morales for his fifth goal of the season. Mendoza scored a goal of his own in the 26th minute to give the Regents a 2-0 lead.
In the 32nd minute, the Prairie Fire responded with an unassisted goal from Kestervens Dera, which proved to be the final goal of the first half as the Regents led 2-1 at halftime.
Rockford struck early in the second half with Curiel's second goal of the afternoon in the 50th minute, assisted by
Sebastian Herrera to take a 3-1 lead.
Knox made a push in the latter portion of the second half, converting a 71st-minute corner kick from Apostolos Karamperis to Carlos Rebello da Silva to make it a one-goal game, trailing 3-2.
Rockford extended its lead in the 80th minute, thanks to Mendoza's second goal of the afternoon, assisted by
Rejhan Jakupi and
Gabriel Carmona to give Rockford a 4-2 lead.
The Prairie Fire converted on another corner kick in the waning minutes of the match. In the 87th minute, Karamperis set up Landon Paulson for a goal that proved to be the final tally of the match as the Regents left Sam Greeley Field with a 4-3 win.
Knox held the advantage in shots, 16-14, with six shots on goal. Rockford had seven shots on goal. Knox also held the advantage in fouls, with Rockford being called for 14 fouls to Knox's four.
The Regents will return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 9, when they face Illinois Wesleyan University at Sam Greeley Field at 4 p.m.
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