Trojans Get Redemption at Harper

There was plenty at stake in the highly anticipated NJCAA Division III top ten showdown between the Triton College men's soccer team rated No. 9 and No. 4 ranked Harper College Sept. 25 in Palatine.
 
The Hawks won the first meeting in River Grove 3-0 earlier this month. So the Trojans needed a convincing win to split the season series and position themselves to win the North Central Community College Conference (N4C) and grab the top seed in the upcoming Region IV tournament. After head-to-head results, tie-breakers are based on goal differential.
 
Triton did that and more with a dominating 4-0 road victory.
 
Since that early season defeat at the hands of Harper, the Trojans have won eight consecutive games, all via shutout to improve their overall mark to 11-1 and 5-1 in the N4C.
 
"The most important thing was us getting our eighth straight shutout," said head coach Piotr Sliwa. This was a great road win. We came out ready to play and are getting better with each passing game. We have five games remaining before the (Region IV) tournament and hopefully we'll keep the momentum going."
 
Triton was again led by Christopher Modzejewski who is putting together an all-American season. The sophomore from St. Patrick factored in all of the Trojans scoring with three goals and an assist. He is currently tied for the most goals in the nation (14) and is second nationally in total points (35).
 
Modzejewski got Triton on the board five minutes into the match with a beautiful strike on the right side from 15-yards out.
 
"I was able to take the ball down the line and the defenders were not ready," Modzejewski said. "I was able to push through and get the goal."
 
Later in the first half, Modzejewski assisted on a goal by Fernando Alvarado (Lane Tech) to give the Trojans a 2-0 advantage into halftime.
 
In the second half, Modzejewski scored on a penalty kick in the 55th minute and then lobbed a shot over the drawn out Harper goal keeper in the 70th minute to put the game out of reach.
 
Piotr Pyz (Conant) recorded the shutout for Triton with seven saves in 85 minutes. Pyz, ranked 10th nationally in goals against average (0.40), made several key saves in the first half when the contest was still close.
 
"I'm happy with the way we played," Pyz said. "I'm out here trying to do my job to help the team win and that's to keep the other team from scoring."

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