CLAREMORE, Okla. – In a rematch of last year's GAC/MIAA Championship, No. 13 Rogers State men's soccer (3-2-2, 0-1 GAC/MIAA) fought hard against Southern Nazarene (3-2-2, 1-0 GAC/MIAA) in a physical conference opener but came up short in the 1-0 match on Thursday.
 
Declan Viljoen (3-2) was solid in goal for the Hillcats making four saves while allowing one goal.
 
The first half was a back-and-forth affair with both teams feeling each other out early. The Crimson Storm tried to test Viljoen early, forcing him to make saves on two shots in the first 10 minutes. The SNU defense did their best to smother any Hillcat offense as they managed to outshoot RSU 7-2 in the period, with four shots on target compared to just one. They broke the stalemate in the 34th minute with a shot right in front of the goal to go up 1-0. RSU had its opportunities to make something happen as they earned six corner kicks in the half.
 
The final 45 minutes saw the Hillcats get more aggressive on offense. RSU outshot SNU 11-1 in the half with five shots on goal to none. Again, the Hillcats had their opportunities to try and equalize and get on the board with six more corner kicks, 12 total for the match compared to just two for the Crimson Storm, but just couldn't get anything to fall.
 
RSU will be back in action on Saturday, Sept. 23 as they travel to Wichita, Kan. to face off against Newman. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.