Tiger soccer team defeats Coffeyville 1-0 in ugly game

After allowing nine goals in its previous two games, Coffeyville was content with playing everyone back in its game against the No. 4-ranked Cowley Tiger men's soccer team Saturday in Arkansas City. However, Cowley's first-half goal from Shogo Haraikawa would hold up as the Tigers won 1-0.

Cowley (5-0-1) remains unbeaten in the Jayhawk Conference with a record of 3-0-1. Coffeyville falls to 0-5-1 overall and 0-3 In the conference.

On Saturday, Haraikawa scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season on an assist from Kanta Ishii to give the Tigers a 1-0 halftime lead.

"Shogo was clutch," Cowley head coach Ruy Vaz said. "We needed that goal because we knew Coffeyville was not trying to make it a game. Shogo steps up in the big moments and makes things happen."

The second half consisted of a lot of passing the ball around and just playing keep away as Coffeyville had its men playback and appeared they were not concerned about winning.

"Coffeyville came not to play but just to kill the game," Vaz said. "At least we were able to overcome that and get the win. Still, I was kind of embarrassed to be a part of that contest."

Tiger goalkeeper Kamy Ndione stopped the lone shot he faced to record his third shutout of the season.

Cowley will remain home to face No. 7-ranked Barton Community College on Wednesday at 7. The Cougars are 5-2 overall and 1-2 in the Jayhawk Conference. Following the game with Barton, Cowley will play at co-conference-leading Kansas City before returning home to play third-ranked Indian Hills.

"We have three very difficult upcoming games, but obviously we need to focus on Barton first," Vaz said. "Barton is historically a big rivalry and is very talented. I expect a chess game that will be difficult but also fun."