ROCHELLE — Twenty-four goals over three games this week have the Rochelle boys soccer team rolling into the Interstate 8 Conference Championship tournament. After dominating Belvidere and Plano on Monday and Tuesday, the Hubs showcased their offense with another brilliant performance against LaSalle-Peru on Wednesday.

Senior Max Torres and junior Brayan Orozco each notched hat tricks for Rochelle, and the Hubs recorded their third consecutive conference shutout with an 8-0 victory over the Cavaliers. Rochelle moved to 10-4 overall with the win and 5-2 in conference play, earning the No. 3 seed for the conference tournament.

“We’re stressing all the time how we need to continue working as a team and moving the ball around the field,” head coach Brad Male said. “We want to find the open spots and take good shots… It’s going to take teamwork to bring home the conference championship, and I think we’ll be competitive if we continue working together.”

Rochelle needed only 60 seconds to get on the scoreboard, as Torres sent a free kick from the left side of the LaSalle-Peru zone into the penalty box and over the Cavalier keeper. Junior Juan Cincire was next to strike for the Hubs, connecting on a shot from just outside the outer right corner of the Cavalier box in the fifth minute to put Rochelle ahead 2-0.  

The Hubs utilized their depth on Wednesday, giving players like freshman Jace Whitehead opportunities to impact the game. Whitehead started a breakaway near the left sideline in the 25^th minute, setting up a run for Torres, who booted in a goal and made it 3-0 Hubs.

“Max’s teamwork really impresses me,” Male said. “He looks for the open player and he isn’t selfish. I’m looking for him to continue playing that way… These guys have really come together as a group and fill in for each other.”

Juniors Zane Walters and Orozco connected shortly after, with Orozco rolling in the Walters assist in the 31^st minute. Senior Austin Brown played keeper in the first half before resuming his natural midfield position in the second half, and Brown immediately made his presence known with an assist to Orozco in the 47^th minute.

Leading 5-0, Rochelle padded its advantage after Orozco was fouled in the penalty box and Torres converted the penalty kick in the 50^th minute. Brown and Orozco linked up a second time in the 58^th minute, as Orozco netted his third goal of the match and made it 6-0 Rochelle. Sophomore Carlos Morales concluded the scoring with a goal off a deflected shot in the 62^nd minute.