Marshalltown, IA—The Marshalltown Community College men's soccer team's strong start to the 2013 season came to a halt on Wednesday afternoon as the Tigers dropped a 1-0 contest to visiting Cloud County Community College (KS.). Freshman goalkeeper Julian Pena (Muscatine, IA/Muscatine) recorded four saves while suffering his first collegiate loss.

Playing in temperatures above 90 degrees on the MCC campus, both teams fought through the first 45 minutes of play for a chance to open up the scoring, but neither side was able to capitalize on their opportunities as the game remained scoreless at intermission.

Momentum changed in the second half as the Thunderbirds, the 2011 NJCAA National Champions found the back of the net quickly, scoring the eventual game-winner at the 52:38 mark. Cloud County was able to force a turnover deep in the MCC defensive zone as the Tigers allowed their first goal of the 2013 season.

The Tigers continued to create chances on the offensive zone, firing 18 shots on the day, but only four coming on net. MCC, who had scored eight goals in its first two games of the year, has recorded 52 total shots this year. Juan Carillo (Cordoba, Spain/CES Lope de Vega) and Hernan Lopez (Muskego, WI/Muskego) each fired five shots against the Thunderbirds.

The Tigers will hit the road for the first time this season, traveling to Rosemount, MN to take part in the Kickoff Classic hosted by Dakota County Technical College. MCC will take on The College of Lake County on Friday at 3:00 PM followed by a matchup with Anoka-Ramsey Community College at 3:30 PM on Saturday. The Tigers went 2-0-1 at last year's Kickoff Classic, including a 3-0 win over Lake County and a 2-2 tie with Anoka-Ramsey.