Tigers inch closer to conference title with 1-0 victory over Dodge City

The No. 8-ranked Cowley College men's soccer team got a first-half goal from sophomore Shogo Haraikawa and made the lead stand up in a 1-0 victory over Dodge City on Wednesday at the Tiger Soccer Field in Arkansas City.

With the victory, the Tigers (9-1-2) move within one game of clinching the conference title as they are now 7-0-2 in the Jayhawk Conference.

The Tigers out-shot Dodge City 29-9 and placed six more shots on goal (11-5) than the Conquistadors.

"Overall, it was a dominant performance, but we need to be a little more composed in front of the goal," Cowley head coach Ruy Vaz said.

Dodge City is now 4-8-1 overall and 3-5-1 in the conference.

The goal by Haraikawa was his team-leading sixth of the season and came with only 4:16 left in the opening half.

"Shogo steps up when things are difficult and is one of the top strikers in the country," Vaz said.

Thanks to five saves from sophomore goalkeeper Kamy Ndione, Cowley would hold on to the lead. The shutout by Ndione was his fifth of the season.

"Kamy is incredibly talented and is doing his job really well," Vaz said.

The Tigers will have a week off before playing at last place, Coffeyville, on Wednesday, October 16, at 7 p.m. Ironically, Cowley got a first-half goal by Haraikawa against Coffeyville and held on to win 1-0 when the teams met earlier this season in Arkansas City.

"We are looking forward to some much-needed rest before a tough game at Coffeyville," Vaz said. "We cannot lower our guard and need to be prepared to get their best shot."