CLAREMORE, Okla.-The Rogers State men's soccer team closed out its home slate with a 2-0 win over Heartland Conference opponent Newman (Kan.) on Saturday night at Soldier Field.
Although it was senior day, junior Niall Masterson stole the show with a pair of goals that lifted the Hillcats past NU in their final conference game of the season.
The Dublin, Ireland native put RSU on the board in the 29th minute of the game. Necas Collins played the ball into the box and Kevin Howard past it to Masterson who first-timed it past the keeper.
RSU took the 1-0 lead into the locker room at the break and fended off the jets throughout the second half. With 11 minutes to play, Collins weaved through the defense down the left side of the field and tried to sneak the ball past the keeper on the near post but missed just wide of the goal.
Masterson gave the Hillcats some insurance in the closing minutes of the game. Collins played the ball across the face of the goal to Masterson who buried it back post with just under three minutes to play.
RSU had several scoring opportunities throughout the game, outshooting the Jets 16-6. RSU goalkeeper Joey Arnold earned his fifth win of the season in goal while Robin Allard was tagged with the loss.
RSU celebrated a pair of senior after the game that will round out their careers in RSU red and blue at the end of the season. Garron Hayes and Mathew Levenson made significant contributions to the RSU soccer program during their time on the Hill.
Rogers State (6-10-1, 3-5-1) will complete the 2013-14 season on Sunday as the Hillcats travel to St. Louis, Mo. to take on Lindenwood at 1 p.m.
