Reivers 6-0 Heading into Big Weekend Matchup
Marshalltown Community College traveled to Council Bluffs, Iowa to take on the Iowa Western Reivers on Monday. Snow and near freezing temperatures resulted in the game being moved from outdoor at the Reiver Soccer Complex to indoor at the Iowa West Sports Plex. Dealing with some last minute roster changes, the Reivers had to adjust before facing a tough Marshalltown team in what is always a competitive matchup between two historic rivals. The game saw the Reivers pick up 24 fouls, with 8 yellow cards and a red card, while Marshalltown was whistled for a foul on 14 occasions and received one yellow card. In a physical and tactically challenging game for both teams, the Reivers jumped out to an early lead off of a goal from Evan Southern in the 12th minute after he lifted the ball over the keeper before running around him to kick the ball into the back of the net. The Reivers would continue to press for a second goal, but missed several open opportunities in front of goal. Marshalltown came out the aggressor in the second half and scored in the 58th minute off of a rebound to make it 1-1. Ibrahim Conde would score a nearly identical goal to Southern's in the 80th minute to put the Reivers up 2-1. Iowa Western had to deal with adversity yet again, as Maruki Kawahara was shown a second yellow card and sent off in the 86th minute for taking too long to take a penalty kick that had been won by the Reivers. The ensuing penalty kick from Evan Southern was saved and the Reivers had to battle to hold on for the win in a game that felt like a regional or national final. The Reivers improved to 5-0 after the win.
Goals and Assists:
12th minute: Goal by Evan Southern (6), Assisted by Gonzalo Cuevas (1) - Iowa Western
58th minute: Goal by Ricardo Junior - Marshalltown
80th minute: Goal by Ibrahim Conde (5), Assisted by Enzo Cozzi (2) - Iowa Western
The Reivers traveled to Fort Dodge, Iowa today to take on Iowa Central Community College at the Harlan Rogers Complex. Facing strong winds, the Reivers took some time to adjust during the first half, but Ibrahim Conde got the Reivers onto the score board in the 8th minute of the game off of a clever pass from Giorgio Probo. Evan Southern scored in the 21st minute to make it 2-0 and Vlad Jokic chipped the keeper from nearly 40 yards away after collecting poor distribution from the Iowa Central keeper to make it 3-0 heading into halftime. The Iowa Central Triton's spent the second half trying to make life difficult for the Reivers and limit scoring opportunities, but the Reivers would pour on 12 more shots - eventually finding the back of the net again off the foot of Vlad Jokic in the 81st minute. Merdi Nkiliko rounded off the scoring in the 84th minute to make it 5-0. Patrick Millard came up big with several crucial saves after some lapses in concentration from the the backline during both halves in order to secure their fourth shutout of the season.
Goals and Assists:
8th minute: Goal by Ibrahim Conde (6), Assisted by Giorgio Probo (2)
21st minute: Goal by Evan Southern (7), Assisted by Jiwoo Lee (2)
30th minute: Goal by Vlad Jokic (2)
81st minute: Goal by Vlad Jokic (3), Assisted by Ivan Callado (3)
84th minute: Goal by Merdi Nkiliko (3), Assisted by Keigo Tanaka (3)
The Reivers will now prepare for a Top Ten matchup on Saturday at Iowa Lakes Community College at 1pm CST. The Iowa Lakes Lakers are currently ranked #8 in the NJCAA D1 Polls while the Reivers remain at #2.