Huge Regional Win

Robinson, IL - On Saturday your Statesmen returned home to take on the Trailblazers of Lewis and Clark Community College. Coming off of three away games in a row, the Statesmen were looking to provide a fun afternoon for the home fans and that game definitely provided that.  

The first half began with both teams pressing high, and keeping their back lines tight which provided for a lot of possession through the middle of the field for both teams. The Trailblazers looked to get on the score sheet first, capitalizing on some quick mistakes by your Statesmen but #1 Gonzalo Onrubia came up with several vital saves and re-energized his defensive line in the first half to keep the score deadlocked going into half. 

Going into the second half, the Statesmen came out on the attack winning a free kick only two minutes into the half, but put it over the bar. The p[ressure would continue though as more and more shots came in from your Statesmen. One shot in particular would change the entire energy of the game as it went out for a corner which was taken by #7 Leonardo Sanches and driven firmly into the near post where it was met by center back #5 Guilherme Alves who fired the ball off his head past the arms of the keeper and giving your statesmen the lead which they would not give up the rest of the match.  

Moving into the 68th minute, #18 Inchun Han played an inch perfect seemingly impossible pass through the Trailblazers midfield AND back line to a sprinting #21 Benjamin Penja who slotted the ball right under the goalkeeper putting the Statesmen up 2-0.  

Ten minutes later the Trailblazers would pull one back to make the score 2-1 for your statesmen but Inchun Han was having none of their momentum ruin a stellar outing for him.  

Less than two minutes after the Trailblazers got back on the scoresheet, the Statesmen were awarded a free kick on the left hand side, 29 yards away and Han stepped up curling the ball into the near post perfectly giving the keeper no chance and capping off a fantastic day for him.  

Five minutes later #19 Harumi Yunaiyama would win a penalty in the trailblazers box which he fired home giving your Statesmen a solid 4-1 victory at home over a region opponent and setting their record for the season at 6-1.  

Other notable contributors for the game were #15 Gustavo Aquino filling in at Center Back for the Suspended Diego Olguin, and #8 Antonio Bilancieri who came into the game and absolutely dominated at the defensive midfield position allowing the Statesmen to control the middle of the pitch for the entirety of the game when he was in.  

The Statesmen are on the road again Wednesday to face Division II opponent St. Louis Community College and look to bring home another road victory.  

Thank you to all our Statesmen supporters for coming out to the game, our next (and last regular season) home game will be the 30th against Indian Hills at 11 A.M. 

See you then and GO STATESMEN! 

#RollTrail!