Kobayashi’s hat-trick lifts Tiger soccer team to 4-0 win over Dodge City

Playing its final regular season game on Friday in Arkansas City, the No. 5-ranked Cowley College men's soccer team got a hat-trick from freshman Hayata Kobayashi in a 4-0 win over Dodge City.

With the win, Cowley (12-1-3) wrapped up an unbeaten conference season as the Tigers finished 9-0-3 in conference play. Dodge City (5-12-2) tied for fifth place in the conference with a record of 3-7-2.

Friday's game was scoreless for the first 36 minutes before Kobayashi scored off an assist from Guilherme Coutinho. Five minutes later, Kobayashi added a second goal, and Cowley went into halftime with a 2-0 lead.

"We did not handle the first half in the best way, but Hayata was clutch with two goals," Cowley head coach Ruy Vaz said. "Hayata's goals gave us momentum and more room to breathe. In the second half, we played better and controlled our actions with more confidence."

Cowley continued to dominate the game in the second half and increased its lead to 3-0, following a goal from Sota Nakazono off an assist from Jin Tokoshi.

Then, with just under 20 minutes remaining, Kobayashi finished off his first hat trick as a member of the Tigers.

"I am very happy for Hayata with his first hat trick," Vaz said. "He works so hard and never gives up."

Sophomore goalkeeper Kamy Ndione stopped all three shots he faced while recording his seventh shutout of the season.

Cowley will now turn its attention to hosting Seward County (8-5-5) in the first round of the Plains District Semifinal on Wednesday at 3 p.m. Although the Saints finished just 3-4-5 in the conference, Seward and Cowley tied in both head-to-head matchups during the regular season.

"As always, the first round of the playoffs is very nerve-wracking because it's the first time in the season you might lose and go home," Vaz said. "We have a tough match against Seward. They are talented and feisty, so we need to be focused to do our best."