CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State men's soccer team scored in the opening minutes and held on for a 1-1 draw against St. Mary's on Saturday (Oct. 6) night after a long weather delay at Soldier Field.
 
The Hillcats (6-4-2, 4-2-2 Heartland Conference) pounced on the Rattlers (6-2-3, 4-2-2 Heartland) early in the third minute of the game when Chris Sowder put the navy and red up 1-0. He split the defense and scored to the right corner after a pass from Noah Robson, who earned the assist on the goal.
 
RSU held the 1-0 advantage for 79 minutes, but the game was evened at 1-1 due to an unlucky own goal in the 82nd minute. The Hillcats saw their own header find the back of the goal for the 1-1 score late in regulation.
 
The game was called only five minutes into the overtime period due to weather.
 
For the 95 minutes, StMU totaled a 19-12 edge in shots, including an 8-3 advantage in shots on goal. After a first half where the Rattlers outshot RSU 10-5, the second half was much more even with an 8-7 mark in shots. Sowder posted a game-high four shots. Robson added three shots.
 
Freshman Jazz Dhaliwal went the complete game, going 95 minutes with a career-high seven saves. He allowed the one unlucky goal. For the season, Dhaliwal moved to 2-0-2 in goal.
 
The game was originally scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. start, but with the weather the contest began at 6:30 p.m. at Soldier Field.
 
The Hillcats travel to UT Permian Basin on Thursday (Oct. 11) for a 7 p.m. contest in Odessa, Texas.