Notes, observations and other thoughts about men's soccer played at 32nd and Central...

NJCAA Division II National Tournament at John Hunt Park and Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville, Alabama

Morton College appeared headed on track for a split in pool play yesterday against CCBC Essex. The 10th-seeded Panthers grabbed a 1-0 lead on Jules Beretta's first goal of the year at the 40th minute. Beretta also got off a team-leading three shots on goal.

Victor Salmeron's hot streak in goal continued. But the sixth-seeded Knights exploded for six second-half goals with the first three coming in a 10-minute stretch and the other three in a seven-minute span to eliminate Morton College 6-1. CCBC Essex's 100 goals is second nationally at the NJCAA Division II level.

Salmeron turned away 21 shots in two tournament games as Morton College ended its season at 12-8-3. CCBC Essex (16-3-2) and Iowa Lakes (15-2-4) meet today with the winner advancing out of pool play to the semifinals.

Morton College got off 10 shots, seven on goal. Sacha Cormier, Ricardo Cruz, Pedro Mendez and Sergio Orellana also were credited with shots on goal for the Panthers.

The tournament marked the final game for the following Morton College sophomores – Victor Salmeron, Alen Marin, Selmane Azibi, Pedro Mendez, Sergio Orellana, Gabriel Estrella, Oscar Lopez and Romain Mbumba.

Here's link to complete bracket:
https://d2o2figo6ddd0g.cloudfront.net/z/5/htwd9atwe4kjzp/2024_DII_MSOC_Champ_-_Bracket_Seeded.pdf

Morton College at NJCAA nationals
2015 – NJCAA Division I in Martinsville, VA
November 16 – Eastern Florida State L 5-1 (Pool play)
November 17 – Jefferson L 2-1 (Pool play)

2021 – NJCAA Division II in Wichita, KS
June 5 – Heartland L 1-0 (Pool play)
June 6 – Phoenix W 1-0 (Pool play)

2022 – NJCAA Division II in Tucson, AZ
November 14 – Southeastern W 2-1 (2 OT) (Pool play)
November 16 – Pima W 3-2 (Pool play)
November 18 – CCBC Essex W 2-1 (2 OT) (National semifinals)
November 19 – Prairie State L 1-0 (National championship)

2024 – NJCAA Division II in Huntsville, AL
November 17 – Iowa Lakes L 2-0 (Pool play)
November 18 – CCBC Essex L 6-1 (Pool play)

2024 record
12-8-3 overall
4-3-0 Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference
6-3-1 at home
5-3-2 on road
1-2-0 on neutral sites

Region IV run
Morton College 3 No. 11 Harper 1 (first round)
Morton College 2 No. 3 Rock Valley 2 (quarterfinals), MC advances on penalty kicks.
Morton College 2 No. 7 South Suburban 1 (semifinals)
Morton College 3 No. 4 Elgin 2 OT (finals)