Morton College's version of "Play It Again Sam" and the nation's hottest scorer carried the Panthers to their most one-sided Region 4 men's soccer playoff win since 2022 with a 5-1 first round postseason victory over Rock Valley October 29th at home.

While the sixth-seeded Panthers vanquished one long-time playoff rival, another one in Prairie State pops up in Saturday's 11 a.m. quarterfinal contest in Chicago Heights. The two schools were involved in an all-Skyway NJCAA Division II championship contest in 2022 and have met in the Region 4 title contest three of the last seven years. The last six meetings have been one-goal contests, including the 2022 national title match won by Prairie State 1-0.

Sam Akamba has scored only five goals this season, but put up his second two-goal match of 2025 against Rock Valley. His biggest play may have come the defensive end. With 11th-seed Rock Valley already ahead 1-0, the Golden Eagles looked like it was going to be 2-0. However, Akamba cleared the ball before it crossed the goal line. That turned the momentum in Morton College's favor as the Panthers scored the next five goals.

Akamba scored off a free kick at 19th minute to put the Panthers ahead to stay at 2-1 and then notched the Panthers' final goal at the 73rd minute.

Cruz, the Panthers' leading scorer with 15 goals and 7 assists, didn't have a goal in Morton College's first eight games. The sophomore also scored twice, giving him 15 goals and 5 assists in the Panthers' last 10 games. His first goal at the 18th minute tied the match at 1.

The tandem of Cruz and Yousri Italief went to work again in the 32nd minute with Cruz scoring his second goal of the match and Italief picking up his second assist.

Italief put the finishing touches on a 4-point night with a goal at the 53rd minute. Omar Garcia added an assist. Hector De La Cruz also notched an assist.

Soultani Salmi turned away 4 shots to secure the win in goal.

Morton College (13-7) carries a season-best six-game win streak into the Prairie State match. The Panthers also have won 11 of their last 13 contests. The No. 3 seed Pioneers are 9-7-2.

Skyway accolades
Ricardo Cruz was the lone Panther selected to the all-Skyway Conference First Team.

Second Team honors went to sophomore goalie Rafael Dos Santos, sophomore midfielder Marcos Talavera and sophomore defender Jules Beretta. Freshman defenders Eneas Laureys and Sam Akamba earned Honorable Mention status.

Playoff notes
This was the fourth straight year Morton College and Rock Valley met in the Region 4 playoffs.

Morton College's last most one-sided playoff win came in the 2022 Region 4 quarterfinals with a 5-0 victory over the College of DuPage. It also was the last time the Panthers found the back of the net five times in a Region 4 playoff contest.

October 29th opening-round results
No. 9 McHenry (1) No. 8 College of DuPage (2)
No. 12 Black Hawk (2) No. 5 Oakton (3)
No. 11 Rock Valley (1) No. 6 Morton College (5)
No. 10 Moraine Valley (2) No. 7 Triton (4)

November 1st quarterfinals
No. 8 College of DuPage at No. 1 Madison
No. 5 Oakton at No. 4 Elgin
No. 6 Morton College at No. 3 Prairie State
No. 7 Triton at No. 2 Carl Sandburg

November 4th semifinals
Host by highest seed

November 8th finals
Noon at Madison College