ARKANSAS CITY, Kansas -- In the 2022 season opener, the 5th ranked Cowley Tigers slipped past Northern Oklahoma College 2-1 in a game that came down to the last few minutes with the Mavs pressing for the tying goal. 

"First off I want to congratulate Cowley," said coach Michael Duroy.   "They have an amazing team.  They are invested in athletics up there.  As a coach I admire that.  Their team is very well coached and play the game the right way.  I'm pleased with the effort that our guys give.  We are very young and inexperienced so we don't always play the best soccer or make the best decisions on the field, but the boys give everything, and that's all that I can ask.  We are improving.  If we keep getting better we have a chance to achieve our goals."  

The Mavs came out fast creating a few goal scoring chances early, and were a bit unlucky in the early going. Cowley rebounded and gained by far the majority of the possession, but couldn't unlock the Maverick defense for many good goal scoring opportunities.  The Tigers did get one great chance with a shot in the penalty box, but Northern goalkeeper Aron Kanyai made the point blank save.  Cowley finally broke through with a goal on a free kick with five minutes remaining in the first half.  

Early in the second half the Mavs nearly got on the scoreboard when Assanie Brown took the ball from a Tiger defender and broke free in the box.  The Tiger goalkeeper made a miraculous save to keep the Mavs scoreless.  Cowley scored their second goal off a scramble for a loose ball in the box that a Tiger player was able put home to take a two goal lead. 

Brown did bring the Mavericks back into the game with a goal with ten minutes remaining.  Miguel Chavez made a nice pass behind the Cowley defense and Brown outraced the Tiger goalkeeper to the ball and hit a long shot into the empty net.  Northern had several chances after that to equalize, but just missed with Cowley holding on for the hardfought 2-1 win.  

NOC is at Pratt (KS) on Friday at 4 p.m.