Tiger soccer wins again, takes unbeaten record into national tourney

The No. 3-ranked Cowley College men's soccer team got a pair of goals from super freshman Caique Trivelato and after a late goal by Coffeyville pulled the Red Ravens within 2-1, Masaya Sekiguchi answered with a game clinching goal to lift the Tigers to the 3-1 win at the Plains District Championship game played Saturday at Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, KS.

With the win, Cowley advances to its third national tournament in four years.

Cowley improves to 17-0 on the season, while Coffeyville falls to 17-2-1 with both of its losses coming against the Tigers. The Red Ravens will have to hope to receive an at large selection to the national tourney.

"Coffeyville gave us our most difficult game of the season," Cowley head coach Ruy Vaz said. "They did not let us play our game. We had to adapt and finish our opportunities playing their style. But, that says a lot about the heart of a champion. Our defense was tremendous, I am very proud of the boys."

Trivelato now has 20 goals, while Sekiguchi's goal was his eighth of the season.

"Caique it clutch. It is phenomenal to have that level of talent," Vaz said. "And, Masaya has been our most consistent player. He is always there, he never stops."

Cowley will await word on who it will face in the First-Round of the NJCAA Division I National Soccer Tournament played Nov. 15-20 in Tyler, TX.

"It is an honor to be among the top-12 best teams in the country," Vaz said. "We want to go far at nationals and believe we have the group to do that. It's about who is mentally strong when you get to the national tournament."