Tiger soccer team improves its record to 4-0
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hill College () | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
Cowley County Community College () | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Western Texas College () | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Cowley County Community College (2-0-0) | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Continuing to play a challenging early season schedule, the No. 5-ranked Cowley College men's soccer team remained unbeaten with a 1-0 win over No. 11-ranked Western Texas College Friday in Arkansas City before knocking off Hill College 4-1 Sunday in El Dorado, KS.
On Friday, Cowley got a goal from freshman Mate Kenyeres in the first half and made the lead stand up as sophomore goalkeeper Rafael Furlani stopped all six shots he faced.
"Western Texas is one of the best teams we have played," Cowley head coach Ruy Vaz said. "Rafael and our defense did a great job of coming up with a clean sheet (no goals)."
The goal from Kenyeres was assisted by Yuki Nakamura.
"It was neat for Mate to score his first collegiate goal on his father's birthday," Vaz said. "He is a very good striker, and I hope this goal will motivate him."
Cowley would return to action Sunday when they took on a Hill College (TX) squad that was receiving votes in the latest NJCAA Division I soccer rankings.
The Tigers would grab control of the game as they got goals from Gabriel Reis and Shunnosuke Nakajima in a two-minute span of the opening half. However, Hill College's Joseph Picotto would score two minutes later to pull the Rebels within 2-1 midway through the first half.
Five minutes into the second half, Cowley would increase its lead to 3-1 as Sora Funakoshi scored off an assist from Tensei Sakaue. The Tigers would then put the game away when Filipe Freitas scored off an assist from Kenyeres.
"With the quick turnaround after the game against Western Texas, we were able to use many players in the win over Hill College," Vaz said. "It was good for our players to face this level of NJCAA soccer."
The Tigers will open conference play on Wednesday when they travel to take on Dodge City at 3 p.m. The Conquistadors are 3-0 on the season.
"I am glad to be 4-0, but now it really counts with conference play," Vaz said. "Dodge will be a tough matchup; we will need to be ready to go full force."
