Harper rolls to playoff victory

With rain having fallen most of the week, field conditions may have been a concern to coaches, players and spectators as Harper College's men's soccer team hosted Milwaukee Area Technical College in the NJCAA postseason on Saturday.

Fortunately, Harper's players didn't seem the least bit bothered by the situation.

The third-seeded Hawks rolled to a 7-1 victory over the Stormers to advance to Wednesday's Region IV semifinal round and a matchup against Triton (10-6).

Harper (7-5-2) met Triton just last Wednesday and came away with a 4-1 victory.

The Hawks got off to a fast start against Milwaukee (1-13) thanks to the first of two goals from Jaime Quintana 5:50 into the match with an assist from Alex Freeman.

Next, Freeman scored the first of his 3 goals.

"We were conscious to get the ball outside," said Freeman. "When we got it outside, we had a better chance to one on one."

Harper goalie Irvin Velazquez (Hersey) was rarely tested, finishing with 6 saves. But when his team needed him, he was up to the task, such as his stop on Omar Montes's penalty shot halfway through the first half.

"That save was huge," said Harper coach Dan Klaus "That game could have been 2-1 if Irvin doesn't make that save."

David Bahena (Elk Grove ) capped the first-half scoring with his fifth goal of the season.

Freeman scored twice more in the first five minutes of the second half. He now leads the team with 9 goals this fall.

Elliot Lara also had a goal, and Juan Hernandez provided a pair of assists.