The NTCC men's soccer team earned their first victory of the season, at home against Texas Southmost College on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 6) in Mount Pleasant. With the win the Eagles, improve to 1-4 on the season. NTCC won the contest 2-1.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Eagles got on the board in the 15th minute, capitalizing on a beautiful through ball from Sophomore forward Desailly Cowan, to Freshman midfielder Fernando Ruiz, who combined with Sophomore forward Cesar Villa who smashed a ball into the lower left-hand corner to break the ice and put the Eagles on top 1-0.
The Eagles carried the play for the remainder of the first half, dominating the possession, yet were unable to add to the total.
The second half started well for NTCC but they were unable to find an insurance goal. TSM continued to fight and found an equalizer in the 76th minute on a hustle play in the Eagle's box.
The Eagles rallied and created chance after chance and finally converted on an 88th minute free-kick. NTCC set up from just around midfield and Freshman back Esteban Dominguez flighted a ball out of reach of the TSM defenders into Freshman midfielder Charlee Summers. Summers slid an inch perfect pass across the box behind the back line to Freshman defender Ben Villenauve who rifled the game winner into the net from 12 yards out. NTCC closed out the game for a 2-1 win.
GAME NOTES:
- Freshman Victor Mireles earned his first win of the season and was strong in goal, coming up big with 5 saves.
- Sophomore Cesar Villa scored his first goal of the 2025 campaign.
- Freshman Fernando Ruiz picked up his first collegiate assist.
- Freshman Ben Villenauve scored the first goal of his college career.
- Freshman Charlee Summers notched his first collegiate assist.
FROM THE COACH:
"Texas Southmost is an up-and-coming program, they are well-coached and play with a lot of passion. They are a tough out and there are no easy results in Region 14."
"The guys came out on the second day of a back-to-back and were disciplined in their approach. They handled their business and guys stepped up across the board to grind out the result."
"We are just getting started, we can enjoy this one for tonight, then we must recover and have a good week of preparation to go on the road and get the points @ CB on Saturday."
