Pair of wins in penalty kicks catapults Harper to Region 4 crown, national tournament

JOLIET, ILL. & AUSTIN, MINN. - The Harper College men's soccer team has a flair for the dramatic. The Hawks went to penalty kicks and won...twice...to claim the 2023 Region 4 Division III Men's Soccer Tournament championship and then again for the NJCAA Midwest District Championship. On Saturday, October 21, second-seeded Harper College got past top-seeded and host Joliet Junor College 5-4 in PK's after finishing 1-1 through two overtimes. Sophomore Ramon Orozco was named Region 4 Tournament Most Valuable Player and first year coach Vlad Gacanovic earned Region 4 Coach of the Year.

Harper College used a penalty kick by Arian Dizdarevic in the 10' for a 1-0 lead that held until an 87' penalty kick by the Wolves Adrian Gonzalez Mart evened the score. After two scoreless overtimes, the penalty kicks began with a miss from Joliet Junior College (7-5-2) and a successful conversion by the Hawks' Diego Tapia. A series of scoring kicks by both teams left the tally at 4-4 as Harper College goalkeeper Ramon Orozco stepped up and nailed the game-winner. (Box Score | Harper College story)

The win advance Harper College to the NJCAA Midwest District Championship on October 28 against host and Region 13 winner Riverland Community College. The Blue Devils struck first with a goal in the 8', and maintained the 1-0 lead until the second half when the Hawks hit the equalizer in the 52'. Jose Caballero kicked in an assist from Diego Tapia, and after two more scoreless OT's, the match went to penalty kicks. Following goals by both teams in the first round, 'keeper Ramon Orozco came through with his first of two clutch moments, earning a save in round two that gave Harper College the upper hand. Orozco was called on again to attempt the fifth and final PK with the score tied 3-3, and he found the back of the net to clinch an automatic berth to the national tournament. (Box Score | Harper College story)

The 2023 NJCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championships will be played November 8-12 in Gastonia, North Carolina. Harper College (3-4-4) was the tournament's #8 seed and will open against top-seeded and five-time defending champion Dallas College-Richland (9-3-1) at 10:00am on Wednesday, November 8. The winner advances to the semifinals on November 10, while the loser will play a consolation match on November 9.

Region 4 Tournament MVP
Ramon Orozco - Harper College

Region 4 Coach of the Year
Vladan Gacanovic - Harper College