Box Score MATCH REPORT
Frustration reigned Sunday afternoon in Rock Valley's 1-0 loss to Carl Sandburg in Rockford, Illinois. The shutout was the third shutout loss for the Golden Eagles in 2023.
Despite holding the 61% possession battle and connecting on 127 more passes than the Chargers even attempted, the Golden Eagles were stymied by an early set piece goal and eventually could not find the equalizer despite multiple attempts.
Team News
- The 1-0 loss was the third match in 2023 that the men have been shutout. The men were shutout twice in all of 2022 (at Madison L, 0-1 and at Morton L, 0-2)
- Despite conceding only 1.38 goals-per-game, the Golden Eagles are scoring at only a 1.88 goals-per-90-minutes clip.
Rock Valley: Ishmon (Herrejon), Colborn, Weishaar (Gilkey), Cuevas-Tapia, Rebori (Jimenez, Leon), Pinedo (A. Herrera), Reynolds (Pina), Hernandez (Dorado), Sowell (G. Herrera), Ibarra (Shema), Angeles-Medrano
Unused Subs: Melecio, Navas, Love, Montes, Delgado, Bell
First Half
Rock Valley once again came out assertively to start the game. Their back line handled the pressure from the Chargers' front line of attackers and found space between the Carl Sandburg midfield and defensive lines to control a lion share of possession and the biggest threats to score goals of the game, their only shot on target touched over the bar. Despite the 0-0 score line at the break, the Golden Eagles struck for seven shots, three corners and 58% of the possession.
"We played a good first half," said head coach Tim Romanello following his team's halftime break. "There weren't many changes or adjustments that I think we need to look at. The energy was good. Maybe we just need to have a bit more urgency heading to goal. There's space left open to us that we think we can exploit."
Second Half
As the second half almost immediately saw the home side strike for the match's opening goal, it would be Carl Sandburg in the 46th minute. Rock Valley defender Luis Hernandez would foul midway up the half, providing a set piece that would end in a powerful header for the 1-0 lead.
Despite the goal deficit, it would the Golden Eagles that would control essentially the entire flow of the match, dominating the second half firmly. The men would keep the ball for 63% of the time and produce 12 shots, including seven on target. The Chargers' goalkeeper would hold firm for the final half and Carl Sandburg would eventually hold for the 1-0 win.
Rock Valley Stats Carl Sandburg
0 Goals 1
19 (8) Shots (On Goal) 13 (3)
3 Saves 8
6 Corner Kicks 3
15 Fouls 16
"Disappointing is the wrong word," described Romanello following the match. "We are dominating possession and creating chances. It's more that we are just incomplete at the moment. Form is good. This group is still very much confident. We just don't have the goals to justify our play at the moment. They'll come. We are too resilient for them not to."
The Golden Eagles dropped to 5-3-0 overall and 4-2-0 in Region 4 play. The Golden Eagles currently sit in sixth place of the 25-team standings. Carl Sandburg improved to 5-1-2 overall and 4-1 in Region 4 play, rising into second seed positioning.
The Golden Eagles will next be in action on Friday (Sep. 22) when they host the defending national champion Prairie State College at 2:00 pm cst.
