Statesmen hands Cobras first loss of the season

Champaign, IL - On Tuesday your Statesmen traveled to Champaign to take on the undefeated Cobras of Parkland College. 

The game was tightly contested throughout the first half with your Statesmen dominating possession and creating several chances on goal while being unable to find the back of the net. The Cobras were able to score off of a counter attack finding the back of the Statesmen goal from long range which would take the game into half with your Statesmen trailing 0-1.  

Moving into the second half, The Statesmen found a renewed sense of fight and determination to bring home another victory and add to their impressive form to start this season.  

The intensity of the game was evident as yellow cards were handed out and many chances on goal were created. Several of your statesmen fought off illness in the game much to the success of the team. #15 Gustavo Aquino was fighting off an illness but was determined to fight for the team and did so locking down the defensive side of midfield allowing the rest of the Statesmen attack to thrive under the increasing energy of the game.  

This was even more evident as the Statesmen were able to put together a beautiful string of passes in the attacking third, finding their way into the opponent's box on the right wing, connecting on quick simple passes, #9 Guilherme Melchiori continued his impressive run of form and slotted an inch perfect pass to #10 Ryosuke Miyata who placed the ball perfectly into the lower far corner just out of the goalkeepers reach bringing the score to 1-1 and giving your Statesmen the push they needed to fight for the victory. 

In true Statesmen fashion, they continued their soaring form putting in another goal less than 3 minutes later. Another Statesmen fighting illness but determined to not let it drop their performance, #19 Harumi Yunaiyama took a throw-in from deep in the opponent's half and found #9 Guilherme Melchiori who turned and beautifully rocketed the ball beyond the goalkeepers reach on a volley bringing his goal tally for the season to 6 as the Statesmen took a commanding 2-1 lead into the final 20 minutes of the contest.  

Things would take a turn for the worse when #6 Diego Olguin was shown a second yellow card resulting in a red card and your Statesmen being forced to play the final 5 minutes down a player. The fight and effort shown by the team, the bench, and the fans was enough though as the whistle sounded and resulted in a dominant 2-1 win for your Statesmen! 

The victory brings your Statesmen's record to an impressive 5-1 on the season as they prepare for their second regional contest this Saturday against Lewis and Clark College here at home in Statesmen's Park at 1 p.m. 

Thank you to all our supporters and go Statesmen! 

#Rolltrail!