Men's soccer: Harper win streak reaches seven in Region IV quarterfinals

Leading into Saturday's NJCAA Division III, Region IV men's soccer tournament quarterfinals, Harper College was riding a six-game win streak.

The Hawks continued their winnings ways in earning a 5-0 victory against Elgin Community College, which sends them through to a Wednesday semifinal against either Illinois Valley or Triton, against whom Harper is 4-0 this season.

Just over a week ago, Harper claimed a 6-3 win against ECC. And on Saturday, they leaned on a player that was key in that outcome, Ricky Choi.

Building the attack from the back, Hoffman Estates grad Choi and Angel Sarti (Hoffman Estates) played some give-and-go, leading to a foul in Choi's favor and a free kick.

Choi took it, beating Spartans keeper Andreas Lozano (South Elgin) to his right in the upper corner.

"We knocked the ball around well," said Harper coach Dan Klaus. "Ricky's goal was a big one - Lozano is a solid goalie."

The last 15 minutes of the first half went in favor of the visitors.

"They started to hold the ball," Klause said.

But Harper keeper Christian Hyde (Conant) was able to make saves each time en route to the first shutout of his career.

Harper scored three second-half goals as Choi finished the matchup with a hat trick. The Hawks also got goals from Alexis Alvarez (Buffalo Grove) and Brian Rodela (Conant).