CLAREMORE, Okla.- The Rogers State men's soccer team dropped its home opener, 2-0, to highly-touted Regis (Colo.) on Friday night at Soldier Field.
The Rangers are coming off back-to-back Rock Mountain Athletic Conference titles and a trip to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight a year ago. Despite playing even with Regis, the Hillcats couldn't find the back of the net.
RSU put together several offensive opportunities in the first frame. The Hillcats first quality scoring opportunity came in the 32
nd minute as junior
Danko Kenjic fired a shot just over the cross bar from 30 yards out. Just a few minutes later, Kenjic threaded the ball through the defense for junior
Dylan Beaird who fired a shot that was saved by keeper Christian Nicolosi.
The Hillcats dodged a bullet with 12 minutes to play Lincoln Sawyer skipped a shot just wide of the goal. However, the Rangers took the advantage just before halftime off a set piece from the right side. Davey Hewitt fired a low cross across the face of the goal and Martin Maybin tallied the first goal of the season for Regis with a diving header just inside the back post.
The one-goal lead held as the teams went into the locker room at the break. In the second stanza, RSU continued to knock on the door, coming close to tying the game on several occasions, but couldn't find the equalizer.
The Rangers sealed the season opening victory with a goal from Martin Maybin the 76
th minute of the game. Arnthor Krisrinsson threaded the ball through the defense and Maybin beat a defender and the keeper to score.
Freshman
Cody Gammill recorded his career loss in goal after garnering Heartland Conference Defensive Player of the Week in his collegiate debut last week. The Frisco, Texas native made one save while allowing two goals on the night. Nicolosi and Connor Adkisson split time in the net for the Rangers, making two save apiece.
Rogers State (2-1) returns to action at home on Sunday as the Hillcats host Ouachita Baptist at 3 p.m. The game will be streamed live on the Hillcat Network at
www.rsuhillcats.com/live.
