CLAREMORE, Okla. — No. 25 Rogers State Men's Soccer (9-4-5, 5-3-4 GAC/MIAA) secured the No. 2 seed in the GAC/MIAA Tournament with a 0-0 tie against Ouachita Baptist (8-7-2, 5-6-1 GAC/MIAA) on a rainy Senior Day Saturday at Soldier Field.
Before the match, Hillcat Athletics honored the 11 players and three student assistant coaches for their contributions to the program. The seniors recognized included: Gabe Tran, Cameron Sarey,
Grainger Scott,
Carson Copenhaver and
Casey Copenhaver,
Conor Mills,
Lawson Ford,
Jaxon Kendall,
Grayson Horsley,
Tom Dixon,
Oliver Hemlin,
Louis Bassett,
Alex Fletcher and
Alex Laing.
The Hillcats outshot the Tigers 29 to seven, including a 13-to-three advantage in shots on goal. Additionally, RSU recorded 11 corner kick chances.
In the first half,
Gian Filizzola put RSU on frame twice in the opening 13 minutes, forcing Isaac Murie saves in the ninth and 13th minutes after the Tigers had the first shot of the half. The Hillcats continued to build chances, with Filizzola, senior
Carson Copenhaver and senior
Brandon O'Rourke each attempting shots before a sustained stretch that included Murie saves on Filizzola,
Hayden Parker and
Miguel Madrigal, plus three RSU corners. The pressure did not produce a goal, and after the Tigers generated late chances from Eric Godoy and Emanuel Castillo — the latter saved by senior
Jaxon Kendall at 43:23 — the half ended without a goal.
RSU opened the second half with pressure, earning corners at 46:20 and 49:56 around saved shots from senior
Alex Fletcher and senior
Alex Laing before O'Rourke added an attempt at 50:15. After a stretch that included yellow cards to Ryan Armijo, senior
Conor Mills and Pau Ndaw Codina, the Hillcats created another run of chances, with O'Rourke, Filizzola and Madrigal taking shots and the Cats earning corners at 67:56 and 70:00. The Tigers generated two corners in the 75th minute and later put shots wide or on frame through Emanuel Castillo and Cody Tice, with Kendall saving Tice's attempt at 82:23. RSU pushed through the final 10 minutes with multiple set pieces and shots, including a team save on
Louis Bassett's attempt, two saves by Isaac Murie on O'Rourke shots and late tries from
Jamie Kennedy, but the match finished 0-0.
Filizzola led the Hillcats with nine shots and put five on goal. O'Rourke added six shots, including two on frame. Kendall recorded three saves in 89:09 without allowing a goal. Senior
Casey Copenhaver combined for his second career shutout after making the start in goal.
Rogers State will return to action on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 6 p.m. for the GAC/MIAA Tournament Semifinals in Hays, Kansas. The Hillcats will play either Southern Nazarene or Northeastern State.
