Photo courtesy of the Moraine Valley Athletics page (mvcyclones.com)
By Alim Useini, Staff Writer
As the soccer season nears its end, every match becomes critical — especially in conference play. The Moraine Valley Cyclones demonstrated resilience on Oct. 7, clawing back from a two-goal deficit to tie Oakton College 2-2 in the final minutes.
The Owls struck first, scoring within the opening 15 minutes to put Moraine Valley on the back foot early. Despite generating a few promising chances, the Cyclones couldn’t find an equalizer before halftime. Oakton added another goal early in the second half, deepening the deficit and leaving Moraine Valley with a steep hill to climb.
Refusing to fold, the Cyclones kept pressing. With just three minutes remaining, Ricardo Mejia reignited the home team’s energy, slotting one past the keeper to make it 2-1. Moments later, Ivan Ramirez delivered the decisive blow, heading in the equalizer that sent the bench and fans into celebration. The late comeback sealed a 2-2 draw and showcased the team’s determination to fight until the final whistle.
Player Spotlight:
Midfielder Ramirez continued his standout play for Moraine Valley, displaying poise and leadership in the midfield before scoring the crucial equalizer. His ability to read the game and find openings in the defense proved vital in the Cyclones’ comeback effort. Mejia also made a strong impact off the ball and in attack, sparking the team’s momentum with his late goal.
The result marks an important step forward for the Cyclones, who have been working to build consistency throughout conference play. As the regular season winds down, Moraine Valley will look to carry this momentum into their remaining matchups and finish the campaign on a high note.
Final Score:
Oakton Community College – 2
Moraine Valley Community College – 2
Date: October 7, 2025
Location: Moraine Valley Community College
