CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State men's soccer team scored a goal off a corner kick in the second half for a 1-0 victory over Southern Nazarene in the season opener at Soldier Field on Thursday night.
 
In his first career game as a Hillcat, freshman Chris Sowder sent a header under the SNU goalkeeper and into the back of the net to put RSU up 1-0 in the 71st minute. Niall Smith picked up the assist on the game-winning tally.
 
Seconds earlier Smith fired in a shot that SNU goalkeeper Colton Hadlock tipped off the post and out of bounds to set up the corner kick.
 
Although the Hillcats tallied only one goal, RSU dominated the contest with 18 shots and 11 on target. Newcomer striker Jake Simpson finished with a game-high six shots and five on goal. Simpson was one of many newcomers to have opportunities on goal as 14 of the 18 shots and nine of the 11 on goal came from Hillcats in their first game at Soldier Field.
 
RSU controlled the first half starting fast with a shot on goal by Simpson in the first 14 seconds of the contest. Simpson kept the pressure on the Crimson Storm with four shots on target in the opening stanza. Smith also put a shot on frame and forced another save from Hadlock, who totaled 10 for the game.
 
The Hillcat defense held SNU to only six shots with two on goal.
 
Cody Gammill got the shutout win in goal, making two saves and going the full 90 minutes. He made his first save off a header in the early going and another save late to keep a clean sheet.
 
The Hillcats (1-0-0) are back in action in the second of three-straight home contests to start the season with Southwest Baptist on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at Soldier Field. Coverage is available on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.