RIPON, Wis. -- The Highway 23 Derby lived up to its rivalry status Friday night, as the Ripon College men's soccer team battled Marian University to a 2-2 draw in its 2026 home opener at Hopp Stadium. After 90 minutes could not separate the two teams, Ripon came out on top in an unofficial shootout to claim the Highway 23 Trophy and will hold onto it until the next meeting between the rivals.
Ripon struck just 43 seconds into the match in unusual fashion. Senior Thomas Geocaris (Green Bay, Wis., Notre Dame Academy) launched a throw-in toward the Marian goal, and the goalkeeper got a hand to the ball but was unable to fully deflect it away. Because the touch kept the ball live, the goal was officially credited as an own goal to give the Redhawks an early 1-0 advantage.
Marian answered later in the opening half, sending the teams into halftime tied at 1-1.
The visitors took their first lead of the night in the 53rd minute, but Ripon responded just over 13 minutes later. Senior Matthew Hegge (Lake Villa, Ill., Warren HS) delivered a cross into the box, where sophomore Moaye Yao (Oregon, Wis., Vel Phillips Memorial HS) finished the opportunity in the 66th minute to bring the Redhawks level at 2-2.
Ripon continued to pressure throughout the second half, recording five shots and five corner kicks after halftime. Geocaris nearly put the Redhawks back in front in the 64th minute, but his shot struck the crossbar.
Freshman Sebastian Covarrubias (Madison, Wis., Madison West HS) anchored Ripon in goal, making three saves over the 90 minutes. The Redhawks finished with eight shots, five on goal and 10 corner kicks.
With the game officially ending in a 2-2 draw, the teams settled the Highway 23 Derby with an unofficial shootout. Ripon converted all five of its attempts, with junior Seth Schroeder (Iron Ridge, Wis., Winnebago Lutheran Academy), sophomore Carmine Di Miele (Elmhurst, Ill., York Community HS), junior Ryan Paltzer (Naperville, Ill. Naperville North HS), sophomore Isaiah Martinez (Las Vegas, Nev., Palo Verde HS), and junior Ian Martinez (Chicago, Ill., Notre Dame College Prep) each finding the back of the net. Marian converted four of its five attempts, giving the Redhawks the shootout victory and the Highway 23 Trophy.
Ripon improves to 1-0-1 on the season and will return to action Wednesday, Sept 9, traveling to Concordia University Wisconsin for a 4pm kickoff.
