The Panthers clinched the regular season Skyway championship on Tuesday night after their 4-1 victory in Sugar Grove, IL over Waubonsee Community College.
The victory gave the Panthers and head coach Juan Franco their fourth-ever conference title and first since 2018!
Looking at the numbers, the program has now won a conference title in four different decades, which backs up the elite coaching that the Panthers have had under the 25 seasons of Franco.
The program has been elite under Franco (1999, 2007, 2018, 2022) and the team support has been remarkable to watch.
In the 4-1 victory, Rafael Silverio was a star once again. He netted two goals but understands what lies ahead.
"Honestly I couldn't have asked for a better group of teammates to work and play this season with. Words can't describe our friendship not just in but also out of the field. Being conference champions is a big achievement that I'm overly proud of, but we are not done yet and I know the best is still yet to come. Let's work," said Silverio.
Another star forward that has been vital to the success of the team has been Luis Escalante. We saw No. 10 post a pair of assists to go along with a goal in the victory.
The Panthers have been ranked in the Top 10 since Week 4 of the NJCAA rankings. The expectations were lofty heading into the year.
As the season progressed, patience has been tested at times in terms of the rankings. Moving up a spot or two every few weeks can be a distraction or a potential issue for some programs. Playing in such a challenging conference has allowed them to focus on one game at a time. While a few years without a conference title didn't last long and the team knows what lies ahead.
"After winning these two very important games and securing the conference title, I feel very happy and proud. The season we are having is incredibly good. I think the whole team should be proud of what we have achieved, but I am sure we are not completely satisfied because we still have many goals to accomplish. Now, we have to focus on the playoffs and keep working hard to get the best we can to fight for the region's title. What makes this team special is the union we have and the joy with which we face the challenges. As I have always said, soccer is a game and you have to know how to have fun with responsibility and this team knows how to do it perfectly," said Escalante.
The leadership and family mentality have carried them down the stretch of their season. The Panthers (12-0-1) have their eyes set on the Region IV tournament and nationals. Only one matchup remains on the slated schedule (Kennedy-King, 10/15).
"My point of view is that this team is a family. We play together, no one is selfish! We know that we are a team and we are going to reach our goals! Soccer is a sport that 11 players play! Every single game, we play is the last game in our lives, one running for the other, fighting for the other and this is a team. The environment is always good and we can keep comfortable to play and perform the best soccer this season," said star forward Milani Santos on their recent Skyway title.
The postseason sure will be exciting and the uber-talented Panthers have been electric along the way.
Keep it locked here on GoMCPanthers.com and check out our social media pages @McAthletics1924 and @MC_Mens_Soccer for more upcoming featured stories, interviews, and all the latest news for Panther soccer.
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