Prairie State holds off Rock Valley for second Region 4 title

MADISON, WISC. - The defending NJCAA Division II men's soccer national champions accomplished something in 2023 they were unable to do the year prior: win the Region 4 Division II Tournament. Top-seeded Prairie State College held off upset-minded and #6-seed Rock Valley College with a 3-2 win on November 4 at Madison College to claim their first Region 4 crown since 2019. The Pioneers, who lost in last year's region finale before going on a memorable run to the national championship, were led by Region 4 Tournament Most Valuable Player Leo Dutra. Carlos Reyes received the Region 4 Coach of the Year award.

Prairie State College opened postseason play with a 3-1 victory over #9-seed Waubonsee Community College, and then followed with an epic semifinal win over #5-seed Kishwaukee College in penalty kicks. The match started on Tuesday, October 31, and was suspended due to weather with a 1-1 score following 90 minutes of play. The game resumed the following day, and after two scoreless overtimes, saw PSC get past the Kougars in penalty kicks thanks to a key save by Igor Mrvaljevic ahead of a game-winning goal by Agbokou Geoffroy.

In the finals, Dutra, a sophomore midfielder/forward, scored an unassisted goal in the 3'. The Golden Eagles pulled even in the 40' on a penalty kick, however, Dutra and the Pioneers surged ahead in the second half as he assisted on a 51' goal by Fabian Montes and a 63' scoring strike by Magloire Makila to take a 3-1 lead. Rock Valley narrowed the gap to one goal before time ran out on a 3-2 win for Prairie State College. The win marked the 14th straight for PSC, a streak dating back to September 7.

Prairie State College (16-2-1) earned an automatic berth into the 2023 NJCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championships in Tucson, Arizona, from November 12-18. The Pioneers were awarded the #8 seed, and placed in a Pool A with #1 Northeast Community College (20-1) and #12 Patrick & Henry Community College (10-4-1). Rock Valley College (13-6-2) received an at-large bid into the field of 12, and opened as the #9 seed in Pool D with #4 Iowa Lakes Community College (13-3-2) and #5 Pima Community College (12-2-1).

2023 Region 4 Tournament Most Valuable Player
Leo Dutra - Praire State College

2023 Region 4 Coach of the Year
Carlos Reyes - Praire State College