CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State men's soccer (1-4-2, 1-0 GAC/MIAA) opened GAC/MIAA play with a bang as they rolled to a 3-0 win over Ouachita (1-4-1, 0-1 GAC/MIAA) on Thursday.
 
"After the level of competition we faced to start the season, it was good to get the monkey off our backs and get a decision tonight," said Head Coach Derek Larkin. "I thought we were in pretty good control the whole match. We played really good soccer today and got lots of players on the field. It was a good start to conference play."
 
Trindon Turner, Marcos Vasallo and Noah Preston-Watkins all found their way onto the scoresheet, with Louis Bassett and Vasallo picking up assists. Declan Viljoen picked up his first clean sheet of the season making two saves on only two shots faced.
 
The Hillcats got out to a hot start as they drew a penalty kick in the third minute. Trindon Turner lined up and drove the ball home to put RSU up 1-0 early in the match. Later in the ninth minute, Marcos Vasallo redirected an incredible corner kick from Louis Bassett to push the lead to 2-0. In the period, the Hillcats outshot the Tigers eight to two with six shots on goal compared to just two.
 
In the second half, RSU didn't let off the gas and cranked up the defensive pressure as they held OBU shotless in the final 45 minutes while taking 12 shots themselves with five shots on goal. In the 62nd minute, Noah Preston-Watkins found the back of the net off a pass from Vasallo to seal the 3-0 victory.
 
The Hillcats will have a short turnaround as they return to the pitch on Saturday, Sept. 28 to face off against Harding at home. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.