Marshalltown, IA—A goal in the fifth minute proved to be the deciding factor in a 1-0 loss for the Marshalltown Community College men's soccer team on Saturday against top-ranked Iowa Western Community College in Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) action.
Hosting the Reivers (3-0, 1-0), ranked No. 1 in the latest NJCAA Division I men's soccer rankings and defending national champions, at home, the Tigers allowed a goal at the 5:14 mark for the only scoring of the match. A cross from Fazlo Alihodzic found the foot of Jarom Farnsworth on a one-timer in front of the net that beat MCC starting keeper Kwan Tolbert (Conway, AR/Conway).
After a strong offensive attack from Iowa Western in the opening minutes of play, the Tigers (2-3, 0-1) responded with multiple corner kicks midway through the first half. Juan Carrillo (Cordoba, Spain/CES Lope de Vega), this week's ICCAC Offensive Player of the Week, nearly beat Iowa Western goalkeeper Josh Blair, this week's ICCAC Defensive Player of the Week, on a one-on-one, but Blair came out on top.
The Tigers continued to pressure to open the second half as Celes Vilar (Las Palmas, Spain/Claret-Corazon) fired a shot on net but was stopped. A physical second half saw six yellow cards and one red card issued. Martin Chavarria (Marshalltown, IA/Marshalltown) provided one last chance for the Tigers in the closing minutes, but the Reivers held on for the shutout.
Four of the last five matches between the two teams have resulted in one-goal games with the Reivers winning three times.
The Reivers outshot the Tigers 13-5, but MCC limited their opponent to just three shots in the second half. Tolbert finished the match with three saves for the Tigers.
MCC continues conference play with a road match at Indian Hills Community College on Sept. 10.
