Jackson College Earns First Men’s Soccer Win of Season

Jon Torres (29) of Hillsdale scored the first goal of the game for Jackson College in a 2-1 win over Great Lakes Christian College Wednesday at home. 

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

(August 23, 2023 8:45 PM ET) It has probably been a while since college players competed in 25-minutes halves.

Maybe junior high or earlier.

Jackson College defeated Great Lakes Christian College 2-1 at home on Tuesday. Jackson College officials shortened the game from 45 to 25 minutes halves due to high temperatures and humidity. 

Jackson jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first six minutes of action on a penalty kick by Jon Torres of Hillsdale.

It was the first goal of the season for the Jets. 

“That goal set the tempo and gave us a little bit of confidence … that is a big thing,” Coach Adam Wright said.

It appeared as if the Jets would take that lead to halftime, but Great Lake was awarded a penalty kick with 21 seconds remaining in the contest.

Emmanuel Ndjoli scored what would be the game-winning goal for Jackson midway through the second half. He hit a rocket from 20 yards out giving the Jets the lead.

Jackson settled down defensively in the second half, not allowing a shot on goal. 

“We were more organized and talking more,” Wright said of the defensive effort. “We rotated a lot of guys into the game.”

Goalie Antonio Rodriguez from Loy Norrix High School earned the win Jackson. 

Peter Ganzel of Western played the last few minutes in goal for the Jets.

He is one of 13 Jackson County players on the Jets’ team. 

Jackson is now 1-1 on the season with a contest at Lake Michigan Saturday on the road at 3 p.m. 

Jackson College Women’s Soccer

Jackson 2, St. Clair Community College 1: Frances Parks scored both goals for the Jets in the win. Katelyn Gasper earned the win in net for Jackson. The Jets outshot St. Clair 8-5 in the contest. Jackson is now 2-1 on the season with a road contest at Lake Michigan Saturday at 1 p.m.