The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks men’s and women’s soccer teams struggled
on the road over the weekend, with the women and men falling to University of Arkansas
Rich Mountain (Mena, AR), 6-1 and 3-1, respectively, on Friday, and the women and
men falling to Murray State College (Tishomingo, OK), 5-1 and 2-1, respectively, on
Sunday.
In women’s action on Friday, the Lady Bucks began with an aggressive offensive front
and scoring four goals throughout the first half. Despite the deficit, NPC found opportunities
to move deep inside Lady Bucks' territory, attempting multiple shots on goal. Trailing,
4-0, at halftime, freshman Yessenia Vargas (Houston, TX) got NPC on the board in the
second half with a goal in the 61st minute, but the Nighthawks were unable to overcome
the deficit.
NPC freshman Brooklyn Mize (Godley, TX) converted 10 saves, while Vargas scored the
lone goal in the loss.
After University of Arkansas Rich Mountain scored early, in men's action on Friday,
NPC fought back, attempting six shots over the first 45 minutes, but were ultimately
unable to equalize the game. After a quick goal from the Bucks to start the second
half, NPC freshman Adam Cerna (Katy, TX) ended the shutout with a goal in the 58th
minute. Despite five additional shot attempts, the Nighthawks were unable to push
the equalizer through before surrendering a third goal in the loss.
NPC freshman goalkeeper Xavier Marquez (El Paso, TX) converted five saves, while Cerna
scored the lone goal in the loss.
On Saturday, the Nighthawk women fought hard out of the gate, with three shots on
goal from Vargas, but were outpaced by Murray State College in the first half, trailing
2-0, after 45 minutes. NPC struggled to find offensive momentum in the second half,
surrendering three goals. Vargas ended the shutout late with a goal in the 85th minute
in the loss.
Mize converted 10 saves and continues to lead the NJCAA Region II with 110 saves this
season. Vargas scored the lone goal in the loss and now has five goals on the year.
The Nighthawk men started with a bang on Sunday, with freshman Yael Sandoval (Kaufman,
TX) giving NPC an early lead on a goal in the third minute. From there, the game evolved
into a defensive chess match, with each team succeeding in keeping its opponent away.
Murray State College found the equalizer late in the period, resulting in a 1-1 tie
at the half. In a defensive chess match over the final 45 minutes, the Aggies managed
to win the battle, scoring the go-ahead goal to take the win.
Marquez converted two saves, while Sandoval scored the lone goal in the loss.
The Nighthawk women face Seminole State College Thursday in Seminole, OK at 2 p.m.
The women and men face Rose State College Sunday in Midwest City, OK with the women
kicking off at 2 p.m., followed by the men at 4 p.m.
For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawks men’s soccer and Nighthawks women’s soccer online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.
Facebook: Nighthawk Athletics
Twitter: @NPC_Nighthawks
Instagram: nighthawkathletics
Snapchat: npnighthawks
