For 90 minutes, the Cyclones put in the fight and effort against the reigning national championship Prairie State College Pioneers. They lost a heartbreaker, 2-1.

While every Skyway Conference game is important, the Cyclones knew defeating the Pioneers was possible, especially after recently shutting out Morton College, last year's conference champs and runners-up at nationals.

Both teams came out of the gate with energy and drive, each taking control at alternating times. Neither team dominated. The game started in the rain, so a wet and muddy field made for a number of slips and player collisions. Prairie State made more shot attempts in the first half, giving Cyclone keeper, Rylan Decker, busy. He collected 10 saves overall.

The Pioneers made a few close shots to start, but Decker batted each away, making several huge saves. The Cyclones had some of their own close calls, nearly getting one in around 19 minutes left in the first half. It wasn't until the final minute when a scramble at the net allowed the Pioneers to slip one in past Decker.

Down 1-0 to start the second half, the Cyclones continued fighting. After six minutes, Yamir Gallegos was tripped and earned a free kick that curved over the Pioneers' keeper to even the score. While the two teams continued battling it out, one sliding play saw a Cyclone accidentally touch the ball under his arm, which was called a handball, and granted a penalty kick to the Pioneers. That was the only other time Prairie State scored. Moraine Valley pushed to regain control, even seeing their opponents get a red card, but couldn't get another goal and took the loss.