VALKEMA SCORES TWICE AS NO. 3 HAWKS DRAW WITH NO. 19 PANTHERS

CICERO, Ill. – The No. 3 Northeast Community College men's soccer team returned to the pitch Friday in Cicero, Illinois to begin a three-game trip starting with a ranked showdown against No. 19 Morton Community College. The Hawks and Panthers played to a draw at the conclusion of the 90-minute contest.

Northeast (6-1-1) struck first as Len Valkema (Leewarden, Netherlands) scored soon after the initial whistle, but Morton put up the next two goals in the matchup. Valkema later in the second half tied the match at 2-2 with his seventh score of the year. Neither team was able to find the back of the net the rest of the way and the showdown resulted in a tie in what was the Hawks' fourth duel with a ranked opponent so far with season.

STAT SHEET:

Goals: Len Valkema (Leewarden, Netherlands) (2)

Assists: Edouard Nys (Dottignies, Belgium), Alexander Pritchard (Stockport, England)

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:

Head Men's Soccer Coach Adam Potter on how the ranked match played out:

"Another top matchup," Potter said. "A team that was in the national final two years ago. Really good side. We jumped on them early but just didn't capitalize to put them away initially. We gave up a couple of silly goals and let them linger around. We tied it back up but just didn't put the finishing touch on it. That's what happens in big games against top teams. You have to capitalize on the opportunities that you are given. Hostile environment on the road. Get a result, get out of there and move on."

Potter on turning the page to another battle tomorrow against Oakton:

"We have another big challenge ahead tomorrow with an undefeated team," Potter said. "Another really good test for us. Less than 24 hours until the match. That gives us an opportunity to put this one in the past and move on to the next day."

UP NEXT:

The Hawks will take on Oakton Community College at 4 p.m. tomorrow in Des Plaines, Illinois.

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