October 30, 2013
The Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC) Men's Eagles soccer team kicked off the playoff†season with a†victory against the Coastal Bend College Cougars Tuesday. The Eagles defeated the Cougars 2-1, achieving the first-ever playoff win for the NTCC soccer program, which began in 2010.
Omar Aguilar started things off for the Eagles with an unassisted goal in the first five minutes. Roman Rodriguez scored again at the 30-minute mark, assisted by Rimario Gordon. The Eagles held off the Cougars through the rest of the first half and into the final minutes of the second, giving away a goal at the 85-minute mark. The Cougars made a last ditch effort to score another goal in the final minutes of the game, but were blocked by Eagles goalkeeper Todd Lewis.
"It wasn't necessarily pretty, but anytime you get a win in the playoffs, you take them any way they come." said Eagles head coach Donavan Dowling, "At the end of the day, we are advancing to the next round, which is what you always want to see. We are really excited to be one game closer to a national victory."
Dowling credits the record-setting win to a strong work ethic - †something he spent many hours drilling into his team during the regular season.
Omar Aguilar started things off for the Eagles with an unassisted goal in the first five minutes. Roman Rodriguez scored again at the 30-minute mark, assisted by Rimario Gordon. The Eagles held off the Cougars through the rest of the first half and into the final minutes of the second, giving away a goal at the 85-minute mark. The Cougars made a last ditch effort to score another goal in the final minutes of the game, but were blocked by Eagles goalkeeper Todd Lewis.
"It wasn't necessarily pretty, but anytime you get a win in the playoffs, you take them any way they come." said Eagles head coach Donavan Dowling, "At the end of the day, we are advancing to the next round, which is what you always want to see. We are really excited to be one game closer to a national victory."
Dowling credits the record-setting win to a strong work ethic - †something he spent many hours drilling into his team during the regular season.
"The team expects more of themselves than anyone outside does," said Dowling.
The win follows the best season that the Eagles soccer team has ever had, an achievement that is creating excitement for the program around the NTCC campus.
"It is so much fun to see them get recognition for their hard work this season," said NTCC President, Dr. Brad Johnson, who attended the game, along with many of the college's administrative staff.
The Eagles advance to their second playoff game in Houston on Friday, Nov. 1 to face off against San Jacinto College-South at 6:00 p.m.
The win follows the best season that the Eagles soccer team has ever had, an achievement that is creating excitement for the program around the NTCC campus.
"It is so much fun to see them get recognition for their hard work this season," said NTCC President, Dr. Brad Johnson, who attended the game, along with many of the college's administrative staff.
The Eagles advance to their second playoff game in Houston on Friday, Nov. 1 to face off against San Jacinto College-South at 6:00 p.m.
