East Peoria, IL - The 14th-ranked Illinois Central College Men's Soccer team (8-1-2, 3-0-1) had an important Region 24/MWAC Conference match on their hands Saturday evening, taking on the Statesmen from Lincoln Trail. An effectively dormant first half was all but that in the second half, with a goal in the match's final 10 minutes by Adam Pike giving ICC a narrow 2-1 victory over the Statesmen. 

The first half, as mentioned, was far from active. No touches had found their way to the back of the net, and other than the occasional foul, the occasional throw-in, an otherwise calm first 45 minutes. 

Now, the second half was a much different story. Sure, it did still take a bit of time off the clock for the action to pick up, but it did not disappoint. From a flurry of cards leading to two Statesmen ejections and one Cougar ejection, to Lincoln Trail taking a 1-0 lead in the 60th minute off of a counter, it wasn't over yet. 

Fast forward to around the 80th minute. A cluster out in front of the goal eventually found the foot of Kristian Istocki, who would head it in off a Brandon Castro assist for a goal and, for the interim, a 1-1 draw.

Not all that much later, the Cougars were able to draw a penalty kick, with Adam Pike assigned with the shot attempt. Pike, as mentioned above, netted the PK, and the Cougars were able to hold off the last few minutes of any potential Statesmen surge and secure the 2-1 win. 

The win keeps ICC unbeaten in Region/MWAC play (3-0-1), with two such matches left, both consecutive, and both are the next two matches up. 

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
@ Lewis & Clark (9-3-0, 2-2-0)
Saturday, October 12th - 1PM
at Glazebrook Park - Godfrey, IL