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Men's Soccer sees season come to an end in penalties shootout loss to Cowley County

Men's Soccer sees season come to an end in penalties shootout loss to Cowley County

WICHITA, Kan. – The Arizona Western Matadors Men's Soccer team (15-1-3) saw its 2024 season come to an end in its second game of pool play at the NJCAA DI Men's Soccer Championship, falling 6-5 in penalties to Cowley County (15-1-4) at Scheels Stryker Sports Complex.

The Matadors fell behind in the first half when Arizona Western was whistled for a handball in the box. This resulted in a Cowley County penalty goal, which gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the 41st minute.

Arizona Western answered in the second half, scoring the game-tying goal just two minutes in when Giulio Mapessa headed in a ball off a corner kick from Hiromasa Iwai to level the score at 1-1.

The Matadors controlled the remainder of the regulation but could not secure the go-ahead goal as the game went to overtime. After two scoreless 10-minute overtime periods, Cowley County converted six of their seven attempts in the penalties shootout while the Matadors were held to five, giving the Tigers the win.

Matadors' keeper Esteban Gonzalez made a game-high six saves in regulation, playing all 110 minutes and allowing just one goal for a second consecutive game.