WICHITA, Kan.- The Rogers State men's soccer team won its season opener against Newman 1-0 on Tuesday at the Stryker Soccer Complex.
 
Jesus Ramirez scored his first career goal to lift the Hillcats (1-0-0, 1-0 GAC) to their first victory in Wichita over the Jets (1-2-0, 0-1 GAC) since October 2016.
 
How it happened: Rogers State had the offensive momentum early, as the Hillcats had a pair of shots toward the Newman goal in the first 18 minutes from transfer Zach Larkin, but neither were able to connect.
 
After a goal kick from Newman, the Hillcats were able to generate the first quality chance of the game and capitalized for a 19^th minute goal. Jaxon Pitt worked the ball quickly to the goal line before chipping a cross over three Newman defenders to the middle of the penalty area, where Ramirez struck a right-footed volley past Newman keeper Jean Claude Consol and into the lower left corner to give the Hillcats the lead.
 
After the goal, Newman quickly responded with an attack as Felix Ramirez had a close-range effort saved by Austin Wormell in the top left corner of the goal. A few minutes later, Luke Morgan would miss a shot high from close range for the Hillcats.
 
Newman would then up the tempo, looking for an equalizer. The Jets would have six shots in 15 minutes, but the Hillcat defense would block three and Newman could not hit the target with the other three attempts.
 
Callum Hubble had the last effort of the half for the Hillcats, as a shot to the low left was saved by Consol in the 40^th minute of the half.
 
The first shot of the second half came in the first minute for Newman, but Rogers State would respond with an offensive barrage of their own, as they had five shots to zero Newman shots in the next 18 minutes.
 
Newman had a shot in the 80^th minute by Felix Ramirez into the bottom center of the goal that was saved by Wormell. It would be the last shot from Newman to hit the target.
 
Players of note: Jesus Ramirez had the only goal for either team in the contest on his lone shot of the game.
 
Wormell finished the game with two saves for his third career shutout.
 
Pitt finished with one shot and the assist on the goal. It was Pitt's fifth assist of his career.
 
Luke Morgan finished with a team-high three shots in the contest.
 
Notes from the Game: Before the game, Rogers State and Newman joined in a moment of silence to remember former Rogers State goalkeeper Mitchell Penton. Penton was a Dallas Police Officer who was killed in the line of duty last week.

Rogers State snapped a two-game losing streak against Newman in Wichita and a four-game winless streak in one of the tightest rivalries in program history. The Hillcats now hold a 6-5-2 all-time record against Newman.
 
The win also secured back-to-back victories for the Hillcats in the series with Newman for the first time in series history. Rogers State won 4-1 in Claremore in the last meeting.
 
Newman outshot the Hillcats 14-11 in the game, but the Jets had just two shots on target, while the Hillcats finished with three.
 
The Jets held a slight advantage in corner kicks with seven compared to five for the Hillcats.
 
Up Next: Rogers State will welcome in Northeastern State on March 5 for the first of three home
games in the abbreviated GAC/MIAA Spring Schedule. Kickoff between the Hillcats and the RiverHawks is set for 7 p.m. in the only night game scheduled for Soldier Field this season.