Statesmen over Jefferson College

Hillsboro, MO - Your statesmen traveled Sunday to take on the Vikings of Jefferson College, looking to get a strong win in the first of their final two games of the regular season, preparing to host a Region Semi-Final against conference foe Illinois Central College this coming Saturday.  

The day held extra significance to your Statesmen as it was also #5 Guilherme Alves' birthday and they wanted to celebrate a special day with a victory. They did just that starting the scoring in the 42nd minute when #29 Takuto Nishide fired in a dangerous corner kick which the Viking keeper punched away but only to find #19 Harumi Yunaiyama waiting at the top of the Viking box where he fired home a half volley into the upper ninety of the far post scoring one of the Statesmen's best goals of the season, putting them up 1-0 and bringing his season tally to 5.  

That would prove to be the winning goal, but the Statesmen wouldn't look back as they continued the onslaught when #24 Amin Garcia pounced on a loose ball in the box less than two minutes later and slotted the ball behind the keeper making it 2-0 going into halftime and bringing his season tally to 5. 

Coming into the second half, Your Statesmen switched up their tactics, employing some different defensive shapes and trying out some new movements and trying out some new players in their system. With the changes, it took a bit for your Statesmen to settle into the second half but were able to do so and effectively lock up the game in the 58th minute when #10 Ryosuke Miyata played in a dangerous cross connecting with #21 Benjamin Pena putting the score at 3-0 to your Statesmen and bringing his season tally to 5 as well. 

Your Statesmen would continue to adjust the players on the pitch, wanting to get as many players experience as possible moving steadily towards the post season. This was none more evident than when #15 Gustavo Aquino found himself with the ball at his feet deep in the Vikings box where he fired the ball into the roof of the net with his weaker foot putting your Statesmen up 4-0 and opening his scoring account at LTC. 

The game would finish 4-0 but not before your Statesmen were able to get valuable minutes for several key players, allowing some necessary in-game experience as the preparation for their match against ICC ramps up. Your Statesmen travel to Normal Illinois Tuesday for their final regular season game where they will take on the Hawks of Heartland Community College.  

This season has already been historic for your Statesmen, and they look to continue that trend looking for a successful post season and a birth into the national tournament in Wichita, Kansas in November.  

Thank you for all your support this season! GO STATESMEN!!! 

#Rolltrail!