No. 4-ranked Tigers shut out 12th-ranked Dodge City 4-0
In a matchup of ranked teams, the No.4-ranked Cowley College men’s soccer team flexed its muscle with a 4-0 home win over No. 12-ranked Dodge City on Saturday.
The Tigers remain unbeaten on the season with a record of 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the Jayhawk Conference. The loss was the first of the season for Dodge City (6-1-2), which is now 3-1-1 in the conference.
"We were solid the majority of the game," Cowley head coach Marcos Ribeiro said. "Everyone contributed to the win."
After a scoreless first 20 minutes of play, Cowley sophomore Renan Syrio scored his third goal of the season, off an assist from Jin Tokishi, to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
"That goal was key for us and gave us confidence moving forward," Ribeiro said.
Fellow sophomore Kanta Ishii would add Cowley's second goal when he scored off an assist from Yusei Suzaki with nine minutes left before halftime.
Following the halftime intermission, Ishii would score his second goal off an assist from Leonardo Leitao to increase the Tigers' advantage to 3-0. Ishii leads the Tigers with five goals on the season.
"Kanta is amazing," Ribeiro said. "Those were two of the most beautiful goals I have seen this season."
Cowley's Mauricio Groppo capped the scoring off an assist from Yushin Nakano as the Tigers went on to the 4-0 victory. Groppo's goal was his first of the season.
"I am happy for Mauricio that he stepped in and contributed to the win," Ribeiro said.
Freshman goalkeeper Lukas Lowry stopped all four shots he faced to record his fourth shutout in six games.
"Our defense did not allow Dodge City many scoring chances, and Lucas continues to make a difference in goal," Ribeiro said.
Cowley will play at Coffeyville on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Red Ravens are 4-3-2 overall and 0-1-2 in the conference.
"We need to keep playing as a team and continue to put in the work needed to win," Ribeiro said.
