CLAREMORE, Okla. – On Senior Night, it was freshman Chris Sowder who scored the late game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory for the Rogers State men's soccer team over Texas A&M International on Thursday at Soldier Field.
 
Sowder, a freshman from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, scored in the game-winning tally in the 88th minute as he knocked in a ball in the box for the 2-1 advantage. The goal is Sowder's fourth of the season.
 
The Hillcats gained an early lead in the contest as sophomore Jake Simpson put in his team-leading sixth goal of the season in the 12th minute of action. Senior Tyler Hall had his shot hit off the post, but Simpson was right there to clean up and send the ball into the back of the net for the 1-0 edge.
 
The visiting Dustdevils knotted the score at 1-1 in the 32nd minute when Ryan Hodgson headed in a cross from Alan Rivera.
 
TAMIU finished with a slight edge in shots at 15-11, but RSU held a 5-3 edge in shots on goal. Sowder ended with a game-high four shots, including two on goal.
 
Goalkeeper Cody Gammill registered two saves in 90 minutes with the one goal allowed.
 
With the victory, the Hillcats moved to the fifth spot in the standings for the Heartland Conference Tournament. RSU is tied with UTPB with 14 points for that spot.
 
Before the contest, RSU recognized seven seniors for Senior Night. Garrett Dyson, Adil Iskandarov, Saul Gutierrez, Danny Sanchez, Eddie Choe, Eddie Hubbard and Tyler Hall were all recognized 30 minutes before the start of the game.
 
The Hillcats (7-5-3, 4-5-2) end their 2016 home slate with St. Mary's at 2:30 p.m. at Soldier Field on Saturday (Oct. 22). Follow the action on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.