East Peoria, Ill. - For those in attendance to see coach Gabe Carreno's ICC men's soccer team (8-7-0) take on the Malcolm X Hawks on Saturday afternoon, the climate represented more that of a theme park's horror ride than that of a soccer pitch. Overcast skies, steady wind, and a light mist throughout certainly didn't make for ideal playing conditions, but the Cougars were not affected by any of it. After cruising to a 3-0 halftime lead, the ICC attack would double that (and some), as a Joao Campos hat trick powered them to a 7-1 victory. 

FIRST HALF RECAP
The Cougars were in control of the first 45 minutes, and it didn't take long for that to be represented, as Jama Ahmed got a quality look at goal at just 43:15, booting it just high of the goal. Roughly two minutes later (41:47), Bertram Jensen effectively duplicated that sort of shot, keeping the pace of heavy activity on that side of the field. Zac Le Stavri got in on the early action when his header was saved at 40:35. 

The first of what would be many goals on the day came when Carlos Lobo crossed it to Juan Carreno, who would head it in for a 1-0 lead at 37:46. Things were going so well on the attack for ICC, that mere seconds after the Hawks had reset post-goal, Jensen got another quality shot off, dropping a soft shot above and past the keeper, but it was unable to evade the crossbar, and went out. 

At 28:48, it would be just the first act of an impressive match for Joao Campos, as he sent his first goal of the day into the net off a cross at 28:48 for a 2-0 lead. About two minutes later (26:02), Ahmed had a perfect bend of a shot that would sail right through the defense but not past the keeper, resulting in a save. 

Alas, a minute later (25:04), Campos was able to boot a bender of a shot that somehow navigated past a crowded area inside the 18 and in for a goal to give ICC what would be a 3-0 halftime lead. 

SECOND HALF RECAP
Initially, it seemed as if the second half would be significantly quieter, at least statistically speaking, than the first half. After all, ICC had the aforementioned 3-0 lead, and could effecitvely win the match with a solid half of defense. That being said, the Cougars were far from done. 

Malcolm X would get the first score of the half, delivering a soft header in at 33:33 for a 3-1 score. 

Zac Le Stavri got in on the goal-scoring parade with a soft cross that made its way past the keeper for a 4-1 lead at 13:21. 

Not to be outdone, Tycho Van Barneveld made his presence felt with a pair of goals with 10:21 and 4:57 remaining, with Brandon Castro assisting on both. 

Now, the ICC bench had jokingly discussed at halftime, the potential of a Joao Campos hat trick. Not so much as to his chances of getting it, but rather the emoitions of it happening. Perhaps it was poetic justice that with just 50.1 seconds remaining on the clock, Campos would indeed find the goal one final time, getting it past the keeper off a deflection for his hat trick and a 7-1 win for the Cougars. 

RECORD-SETTING GOAL-SCORING
A historical note to make here. The seven goals scored in today's win for ICC are the most in a game in the Gabe Carreno Era, and the most since defeating Lincoln Trail 9-0 in the 2021 Region Tournament. 

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
2023 Sophomore Day
vs. D2 #14 Southeastern Iowa (8-5-1)
Wednesday, October 18th - 3PM
@ CougarPlex - East Peoria, Ill.