CLAREMORE, Okla. - The Rogers State men's soccer team was unable to match NCAA Division II No. 7 ranked St. Edwards (Texas) on Saturday night as the Hilltoppers tallied a 3-1 win over the Hillcats at Soldier Field.
Daniel Riley scored his eighth goal of the season in the 14th minute of the game to give the Hilltoppers the 1-0 advantage. Anderson McDaniel slotted the ball across the face of the goal to Riley who buried it past the keeper from the six yard box. Riley continued to give the Hillcats' fits in the first stanza, doubling the SEU lead in the 23rd minute as he headed the ball into the net off an Anderson McDaniel corner kick.
The Hillcat battled back in the 37th minute with a goal to cut the Hilltopper lead in half. Kaspars Kokis and Necas Collins strung together a couple passes in the corner. Kokis sent the ball into the box for Mitchell Sowerby who came forward from the back line to fire the ball into the back of the net. It was the Newcastle, England native's first goal of the season.
RSU's momentum was short-lived as the Hilltoppers quickly answered with their third goal of the game less than a minute later, giving them the 3-1 advantage.
The score held steady as the teams went into the locker room at intermission and RSU was unable to overcome the two-goal deficit in the second frame. John Kaschak tallied the win in goal, making two saves while allowing one goal. Joey Arnold tallied five saves while allowing three goals and took the loss for the Hillcats.
Rogers State (3-6-1) will look to bounce back on Monday as the Hillcats face McMurry at Soldier field with kickoff set for noon. The game will be streamed live on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.
