East Peoria, Ill. - Let the homestand continue. That was the task at hand for coach Gabe Carreno and the ICC men's soccer team (3-3-0). In hosting the Carl Sandburg Chargers on Wednesday afternoon in a stand-alone match, they found themselves at the mid-point of a long four-match home series. After a narrow 3-2 victory over St. Louis on Saturday, that had them in the right frame of mind going into Wednesday. 

First half play was quite physical. ICC had numerous close chances, so far as to say shots off the post and other quality looks at goal that would either bounce off defenders or simply be saved by the keeper. The first half would end in a scoreless draw. 

After the halftime break, the visiting Chargers would net the game's lone goal for the 1-0 final score. Their defense remained stout, and outside of the one goal conceded, as did the Cougars.

However, as a result of Carl Sandburg's efforts on the defensive side of the pitch, the clean sheet was maintained and they came away with the road victory over ICC. 

Of note, with six games in the books for ICC men's soccer, five have been decided by a mere goal or two. So needless to say, regardless of what side of the win/loss column the Cougars have wound up on, the matches continue to remain close. 

The Cougars will look to hit the reset button and perhaps a change of scenery, despite the homestand still being intact will do that. They'll host region foe Heartland at Eastside Centre's Clatt Stadium on Saturday afternoon, a rematch of the Cougars' 3-1 season-opening win. The match is scheduled to kick off at 4PM.