CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State women's soccer (4-2-2, 1-0 MIAA) opened the MIAA portion of the schedule with a hard fought 1-0 win over Newman (1-6-1, 0-1 MIAA) on Sunday.
 
Alix Tirado scored her team-leading fourth goal of the season in the win with Vanessa Gonzalez picking up the assist. Tiffany Brittan (3-2) registered her third clean sheet of the year making two saves.
 
The Hillcats controlled much of the momentum in the opening 45 minutes as most of the action happened in the middle third and RSU's attacking third of the field. The home defense worked to smother any offensive attacks that Newman tried to put together as they were only allowed two shots in the period with none on goal. Meanwhile, the Hillcat offense was able to get off six shots and had two opportunities to get on the board, forcing the Jets' keeper to make two saves. The game remained in a scoreless deadlock headed into the break.
 
In the second half, RSU began to slowly break down Newman's defense and get more opportunities on the attacking end. They finally broke through in the 64th minute as Alix Tirado fired in a shot across the goal from the right corner of the 18-yard box off a well-placed pass from Vanessa Gonzalez to put the Hillcats up 1-0. Desperate to equalize, the Jets began to get more aggressive in their attacks and tested Brittan with two shots on goal in the period to no avail. RSU eventually came away with the 1-0 victory.
 
The Hillcats will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 29 as they began a four-game road trip with a stop in Topeka, Kan. to face off against Washburn. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.