The 11th ranked Marshalltown Community College Tiger soccer team picked up a big road win on Tuesday against Northeast Community College extending their win streak to seven matches. Prior to the match, MCC was tied for second place in the ICCAC as NECC had sole possession of fourth place, respectively.
Much like in previous matches throughout the winning streak, the Tigers possessed the ball on the Hawks half of the field opening with two shots and three corner kicks within the first 15 minutes. Despite the Tigers' offensive push, Northeast struck first with a goal by Felipe Guilherme on a penalty kick in the 20th minute.
MCC would not trail for long, however, tying the match one minute later with an unassisted goal by sophomore captain Leonardo Tomasi, his first on the season. The Tigers would strike again later in the half with a goal by freshman Jiroh Hatano in the 30th minute. The penalty kick goal is Hatano's 8th on the season, good enough for third highest on the team. MCC would take a 2-1 lead into the half.
The Tigers did not waste any time getting on the board in the second half when sophomore Rafael Vacas would find the back of the net on a penalty kick in the 47th minute. Vacas would extend the lead 6 minutes later on a ball by fellow sophomore Taiki Kinugawa (3). Vacas leads the team in goals on the season with 13, which also tops the ICCAC as well.
Freshman Sekou Kromah would round out the scoring in the 75th minute on an assist by Tomasi. The goal is Kromah's first since September 1st while this was the third game this season for Tomasi to record both a goal and an assist. Sophomore Joel Serrano would finish the game with 2 saves in goal for the Tigers.
"The guys had a slow start to the game, but at halftime I reminded them to play the Marshalltown way," Assistant Coach Chris Fuchsen reflected on the match. "Hard word, determination, and resiliency. That is the Marshalltown way."
The victory moves the Tigers to 12-1 on the season, and 7-1 in ICCAC play. The win also elevates MCC to sole possession of 1st place within the ICCAC, a spot that the Tigers hold for the first time this season. The team will be back in action at home this Saturday, October 6th against Dakota County Technical College at 2PM. The Blue Knights are 3-6 overall and 1-4 in ICCAC play. The Tigers will round out their ICCAC slate on Tuesday, October 9th with a 5PM match at Hawkeye Community College.