Reivers Win Home Opener

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - NJCAA Preseason No. 1 Iowa Western Men's Soccer opened up the 2025 home schedule with a 5-1 win over Otero College on Friday night.

The Reivers (1-0-1) struck in the 21st minute on a corner kick from Efraims Valutadatils that Yamato Urakami finished off after a scramble in the penalty box.  Iowa Western found goal number two just two minutes later when Angel Lopez crossed the ball into the box and found Freshman Felipe Braga streaking towards the near post and buried his shot on one touch.

Lopez then added a goal of his own in the 31st minute, then found goal number two in the 65th minute to start the second half scoring.  Sophomore Nathan Karanganwa played a long ball 30 yards from the back line and hit Lopez in stride near midfield, where he beat three defenders and Otero's goalkeeper, who was playing up, for the easy goal to make it 4-0.

IWCC found the back of the net for a fifth time in the 85th minute off the foot of Shion Inagaki, but Iowa Western couldn't keep the clean sheet as the Rattlers (0-2-0) answered just 1:45 later with a goal from Koji Obana.

After a 1-1 draw with Miami Dade in Ottumwa, IA, on Thursday afternoon, the Reivers picked up win number one of the new season as they look to defend their NJCAA D1 Men's Soccer title. The team is back in action at home on Saturday, August 30th, at 7:00 pm.