Men's Soccer

Eagles Jump over Jaguars

Men's Soccer
Men Soccer

Jacksonville, Texas — The NTCC men's soccer team went on the road to face the Jacksonville College Jaguars earning a victory with their most complete performance to date, setting up a showdown with top ranked TJC on Friday in Tyler.  With the win the Eagles climb into third place in the division.  NTCC won in comfortable fashion 4-1 at Jacksonville.

>> HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Eagles got on the board in the 25th minute capitalizing on a long through ball from Freshman midfielder Isac Dialo to Freshman midfielder Lupe Olvera. Olvera slotted home the opener beating the keeper from the right flank putting the Eagles out in front 1-0. 

Olvera would net his second goal in similar fashion in the 39th minute when he connected on a beautiful through ball from Freshman Timothee Metzler to give NTCC a 2-0 advantage. The Eagles would carry the 2-0 lead into the break.

The second half was more of the same for the visitors as Dialo found Freshman Orlando Simancas Jr. with a flick out of midfield. Simancas beat the backline of Jacksonville and was dragged down in the box by the goalkeeper. He converted the ensuing penalty kick to give NTCC a 3-0 lead with nearly 30 minutes to go in the contest.

Jacksonville made a push to get back in the game, and the play went back and forth for the next 15 minutes with the Jaguars outshooting the Eagles in the period. NTCC would bend but not break. Jacksonville scored to make it 3-1 in the 78th minute but Freshman goalkeeper Val Grevaz and the backline would steady the group and repel any further opportunities for the home team.

Minutes after the Jacksonville score Freshman Deacon Fair stepped up and connected on a volley off a centering pass from Freshman Yoan Amouye to put the Eagles out in front for good 4-1. 

GAME NOTES:

Freshman Val Grevaz earned his first win of the season and was strong in goal, coming up big with 5 saves.

Freshmen Lupe Olvera scored his first and second career goals.

Freshman Orlando Simancas Jr. scored his 3rd goal of the season.

Freshman Deacon Fair scored his first career goal.

FROM THE COACH:

  • "Jacksonville is a well-coached team.  They are really challenging to play against at home."
  • "The guys were professional in their approach on the road.  They handled their business and guys stepped up to put us in position to control our own destiny in the 2nd half of the North Division schedule."
  • "Val was huge for us tonight, he has worked hard all year, and all the players and coaches are proud and happy for him."
  • "We are not done yet, we can enjoy this one for tonight, then we must recover and our focus must be on our preparation for the 2nd half of the schedule."