The Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC) men?s Eagles Soccer team carried their record-breaking momentum from last year into their first regular season games this weekend defeating both nationally ranked Eastern Florida State College and Mississippi Gulf Coast College in a mini tournament at Pensacola, Florida.
Freshman Yannick Koffi put the first point on the board for the Eagles 12 minutes into the game against 5th ranked Eastern Florida State with assistance from Rodrigo Gonzalez. A back and forth series of turnovers, blocks and thefts unfolded until nearly an hour into the game when Daniel Nevarez assisted Jake Winship in another goal for the Eagles. Salvador Valencia†defended the†Eagles goal with four saves, finishing the game with a 2-1 Eagle victory.
The game against Mississippi Gulf Coast was silent until Adrian Cruz put the first score on the board 41 minutes into the game, kicking off a furious series of goals putting the Eagles up 4-0 15 minutes later. Casey Collins took his first shot of the weekend and scored the final goal of the game, finishing 5-0.
Eagles Head Soccer Coach Donavan Dowling said that the team is coming together well and he has high expectations for them this season.
?It was a great start for the boys to beat the top five ranked team in the nation, we have tons of potential, and we have the ability to beat anybody in the country. I think the guys showed that this weekend, we just have to finish putting it together,? said Dowling.
The Eagles face Eastern Oklahoma State College at 4 p.m. this Wednesday and Murray State College at 4 p.m. on Friday, both at NTCC.
August 26, 2014
