MATCH REPORT 

It was another classic Madison-Rock Valley derby game Tuesday afternoon in Rockford. The Wolfpack's first-half goal proved to be just enough to knock off the Golden Eagles 1-0. It was the fourth consecutive one-goal game between the two sides. 

The defeat snaps Rock Valley's three-match win streak and 12-match home-unbeaten streak dating back to October 2021. The loss also extends Madison's win streak versus Rock Valley to four straight, and improves to 13-6-2 all-time against Rock Valley. 

A 16th minute goal by Gabe Voung was the difference in yet another tight affair between the two sides. A loose ball stemming from an over-hit corner, the ball was redirected toward the Rock Valley goal. Voung got a glancing touch to strike the post and caromed across the goal line for the eventual game-winner. 

"It's a tough result [today versus Madison]," said head coach Tim Romanello following the match. "That one will sting for a bit. But look, [they] capitalized on an opportunity, something we couldn't do." 

Team News 

For the first time in three games, the Rock Valley attack was shutout.  

Daniel Angeles-Medrano recorded three saves, including the lone shot in the second half for Madison. 

Taylor Sowell and Landon Weishaar combined for nine shots in the loss. 

Brayan Cuevas-Tapia played 61 minutes, his first run of action since St. Louis (Aug. 19). 

Ben Colborn, Jaep Pinedo and Joey Reynolds wore the captain's armband for the second straight game. 

Rock Valley: Ishmon (Ramos), Colborn, Weishaar (Gilkey), Herrejon (Shema), Rebori (Jimenez, G. Herrera), Pinedo, Reynolds (Cuevas-Tapia), Hernandez (Dorado, Pina), Sowell (Leon), Ibarra (Montes), Angeles-Medrano 

Unused Subs: Melecio, Navas, A.Herrera, Love, Bell 

First Half 

There were not many roses in the opening 45 minutes for the Golden Eagles Tuesday night. From the opening whistle, despite a string of passes the Golden Eagles could string together, there seemed to be a lack of energy throughout the first half. 

As the half wore on, Madison would gain control, only giving Rock Valley spurts of possession and limited action forward. Gabe Voung would convert in the 16th minute to put the Wolfpack up 1-0. Following clearance to fend off a Madison attack, the ensuing corner was over hit. A redistributed cross was thrown into the box where Voung redirected the ball bouncing in front of the Daniel Angeles-Medrano, glanced off the post and caromed into the net for the lead. 

"It was an odd play and set of events," said Romanello. "The ball was lucky to get through the crowd in the first play, and then the way it struck the post and went in, it was odd. But it summed up our first half for sure."  

Madison would have a few more attempts, including a back post clear-cut scoring opportunity midway through the half that Rock Valley narrowly escaped. Madison outshot the Golden Eagles 4-2 in the first half. 

The away side gave way to a few chances that Rock Valley made dangerous in the first half, but Madison goalkeeper Phil McCloskey came up big on both occasions.  

Second Half 

The second half started much differently than the first. Rock Valley established possession almost immediately and were on the front foot for nearly the entirety of the second half, outshooting Madison 11-1. But while the opportunities came, Rock Valley attackers misfired in front of goal. 

"That's how it goes sometimes," commented Romanello. "There's a different between being in control and being clinical. We were in control, but we weren't clinical in that second half." 

Despite the failure to convert their goal-scoring opportunities, the Rock Valley demeanor always felt that there would be an equalizer, but that moment continued to escape them as Weishaar, Sowell has three of the best chances to score in open play, but either narrowly missed or struck the post and saw the ball carom wide. 

Madison would make things even more interesting with Angel Gongora's second yellow in the 83rd minute. Despite the man advantage, the Wolfpack sat in and back for the final minutes of play thwarting off a number of free kicks and blocked shots. 

"I've said it before, I'll say it again," continued Romanello following the match. "Soccer is the world's most unfair sport. Hats off to Madison. They got their one, and then survived the rest of the way today. They earned it." 

The Golden Eagles fell to 4-2-0 overall and 3-1-0 in Region 4 play. Madison improved to 2-1-0 and 2-1-0 in Region 4 play. 

The Golden Eagles will next be in action on Saturday (Sep. 9) in Des Plaines, Illinois to face Oakton College. Kickoff is set for 4:30 pm. Rock Valley's next home game is Tuesday (Sep. 12), a 4:00 pm kickoff against Black Hawk College.