Tiger men’s soccer team eager to make another run at nationals

Having gone to the national tournament in three straight seasons and five of the past six, the No. 6-ranked Cowley College men's soccer team looks to continue its winning ways in the 2024 season.

Cowley will open its season on Sunday, August 25, when they play at Eastern Oklahoma State College at 6 p.m. After three straight district titles, Cowley head coach Ruy Vaz knows the Tigers will get their opponent's best shot.

"We are used to having a target on our back," Vaz said. "We know we  will have to fight and play with heart each game."

Sophomores Takeru Chiba, Andre Ecker, and Sota Nakazono will serve as co-captains. Chiba scored three goals and added five assists as a freshman, Ecker earned all-conference and all-region honors as a defender, and Nakazono finished second on the team with eight assists.

"These guys did really well last season and will be counted on to lead the team," Vaz said.

The Tigers' leading scorer from last season, Shogo Haraikawa, also returns after scoring a team-high nine goals and adding five assists.

Goalkeeper Kamy Ndione returns and is the backbone of the team. Ndione recorded four shutouts and had a goals-against average of 1.06 during the 2023 season.

Other sophomores on the roster are Kohsuke Fukudome, Takuto Kawase, Joao Magalhaes, Israel Anima, and Gustavo Matheus.

Vaz and assistant coaches Marcos Ribeiro and Eusebio (Chevy) Plaza brought in some talented freshmen to join the returning players.

"We feel good about the depth we have," Vaz said. "Our goal is to have two starting lineups so we can spread the minutes and avoid injuries."

Samuel Puth, Jin Tokishi, Renan Syrio, Guilherme Countinho, and Hayata Kobayashi are among the 19 new players on the roster.

"We have a lot of hard-working kids that will make an immediate impact," Vaz said.

Other freshmen on the roster are Reece Blakenship, Keagan Lewis, Joao Amado, Holden Schaefer, Inaki Lambarri, Temitope Joshua, Keitatsu Yoshida, Hayata Kobayashi, Mohamed Samake, Gabriel Portillo, Ori Leibovich, Dominic Lester, Kanta Ishii, Axel Chavarria, and Carmelo Bello.

With Barton County winning the conference a season ago and every team in the conference but Coffeyville finishing with a winning record, Vaz knows the Tigers will have a demanding schedule.

"The conference is very strong," Vaz said. "I can say without a shred of doubt that we have the best conference in the country."

Cowley will play each conference team twice and two non-conference games.

Vaz has high hopes for this year's team.

"If we are able to manage our emotions and have a stable mind, I believe we will have a chance to succeed," Vaz said.