Apolinario’s goal lifts Tiger soccer team to a 1-0 home win

Hosting non-conference opponent Rose State College Saturday at the Mark A. Phillips Athletic Complex, the No. 3-ranked Cowley College men's soccer team, got a first-half goal from freshman Thiago Apolinario and made the lead stand up in the 1-0 victory.

With Saturday's contest scoreless midway through the opening half, Apolinario received a pass from Carlos Noboa and rocketed a shot from 25 yards out into the top corner of the net. The goal for Apolinario was his fourth of the season, tying him with Sora Funakoshi and Shogo Haraikawa for the team lead.

Cowley controlled the game throughout as they out-shot Rose State 29-6 and placed 10 shots on goal to only one shot on goal by the Raiders.

Cowley freshman Jona Hellingrath recorded his third shutout in goal, while the shutout was the Tigers' fifth in six games.

Cowley is now 6-0 on the season, while Rose State falls to 3-2.

Tiger head coach Ruy Vaz said Saturday's game was important for the team to give some other players on the roster playing time.

"Non-conference games are important for tests and playing time maintenance," Vaz said. "Overall, it was a good performance; we were able to control all the phases of the game, and (Thiago) scored a beautiful goal."

Cowley will attempt to remain unbeaten when they host Coffeyville Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Red Ravens, winners of three games in a row, are 4-1-2 overall and 1-1 in the Jayhawk Conference.

"Coffeyville is a big rival, and we need everyone to be ready for this battle," Vaz said.