CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State men's soccer team ended its 2016 home schedule with another exciting win as Niall Smith scored in the 89th minute for a 2-1 win over St. Mary's on Saturday (Oct. 22) at Soldier Field.
 
With the victory, the Hillcats (8-5-3, 5-5-2) strengthened their spot in the league standings as RSU ranks fifth with 17 points, now two points up on Texas-Permian Basin after the Falcons tied today. The Hillcats are four points clear of the seventh spot with two games remaining in the conference schedule. The top six teams advance to the Heartland Conference tournament.
 
Smith, a freshman from Sheffield, England, received a through ball from fellow freshman Jordan Watson that Smith struck to the far post for the game-winning goal, giving RSU a 2-1 lead in the 89th minute.
 
Smith played a part in both of the goals for the navy and red as he assisted on the first Hillcat goal. Sophomore striker Jake Simpson knocked in a cross from Smith to tie the game at 1-1 in the 31st minute of the contest.
 
StMU went up, 1-0, in the 20th minute of regulation on a penalty kick goal. The Rattlers received the penalty kick attempt after a foul just inside the box by RSU. StMU's Keagan Woolley converted the penalty kick.
 
The Hillcats had a penalty kick attempt of their own, but Simpson's shot was saved by StMU's goalkeeper Jack Moore in the 36th minute.
 
For the game, the shots were even at 8-8. The Rattlers put one more on frame with a 4-3 advantage. Smith totaled a game-high four shots.
 
Goalkeeper Cody Gammill finished with three saves in 90 minutes and one goal allowed.
 
The Hillcats finished 8-2 at home this season, including two overtime golden goal victories.
 
RSU ends the regular season with two road league games next week. The Hillcats travel to Oklahoma Christian on Thursday (Oct. 27) for a 7:30 p.m. contest in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.