Three Rochelle players score goals in 5-3 loss Saturday

ROCHELLE — The Rochelle Hub varsity soccer team hosted a nonconference match with Belvidere on Saturday. Junior forward Diego Salazar as well as freshman forward Kevin Orozco and freshman midfielder Heilly Zepeda each scored goals in a 5-3 loss to the Bucs. Rochelle (7-5, 4-1 Interstate 8) will face Sycamore on the road Monday.

Belvidere controlled the ball for most of the match, outshooting Rochelle 29-6 and 18-3 in shots on goal. The Bucs also earned six corner kicks to only one for the Hubs. Senior goalkeeper Jarett Milan finished the match with 13 saves for the Rochelle defense.

Back-to-back goals in the seventh and eighth minutes allowed Belvidere to take a 2-0 lead over Rochelle early in the match. The Hubs answered in the 14th minute, where Salazar found the net before an immediate response from the Bucs enabled Belvidere to surge ahead 3-1.

Salazar and Orozco connected for a goal just before halftime, with Salazar assisting Orozco during the 40th minute to make the score 3-2 at the half. Zepeda cashed in the equalizer during the 45th minute, scoring shortly after a corner kick from Salazar to even the match at 3-3. Belvidere closed out the match with unanswered goals in the 55th and 76th minutes.