After scoring four goals in the second half en route to a Region-24 Championship win over No. 8-ranked Parkland College, No. 13-ranked Heartland men's soccer had its sights set on the Central District Tournament in St. Louis on Friday and Saturday. The winner of the four-team tournament, which featured teams from Region 2, 16 and 24 and was hosted by St. Louis Community College, would receive an automatic bid for the National Tournament.
 
The Hawks opened the weekend against St. Charles Community College, and another second half surge ignited the Hawks to a 3-1 victory to advance to the championship match. St. Charles was able to get on the board first with a goal by Samuel Hancke in the 15^th minute, but Heartland's Shaquiel Campbell would find the net just before halftime in the 44^th minute on a Raul Oliu assist to tie the contest at 1-1.
 
From there, it was all Heartland. Mohammad Sanyang broke the tie with a goal in the 78^th minute on a Mario Fairweather assist before Fairweather added some insurance with his own score in the 90^th minute with Marvin Mueller contributing the assist. The Hawks held strong on the defensive end in the second frame, as goalkeeper Oliver Butler finished with seven saves on the afternoon.
 
Heartland returned on Saturday in a Championship face-off with the host St. Louis Community College. In a low-scoring affair, the Archers were able to execute their shot opportunities in the second half to guide them to a 2-0 win and advance to Nationals. St. Louis opened the scoring with a goal in the 47^th minute on a free kick, and again scored in the 67^th minute. Butler and the Heartland defense limited the Archers to just seven total shots, but fouls and missed execution on shots doomed the Hawks in the loss.
 
The Hawks (10-5-5) will now await the National Tournament seedings with hopes of obtaining an at-large bid. The selection show will stream on the NJCAA Network at 11:00 AM on Tuesday. Nationals will take place Nov. 12-18 at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz.