Nighthawk Soccer Sweeps NJCAA Opener
The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk men’s and women’s soccer teams swept their
NJCAA Region 2 openers over University of Arkansas-Cossatot Saturday, with the women
securing a 5-0 victory, followed by a 5-1 win for the men.
In its first NJCAA Region 2 match in program history, the Nighthawk women (1-6) jumped
out to a three-goal lead in the first half and never looked back. Freshman center
back Cynthia Lopez (Carthage, Texas) lit up the scoreboard for NPC at the 31-minute
mark, assisted by freshman midfielder Natalie Brice (Benton, Louisiana). The Nighthawks
extended their lead four minutes later on an unassisted goal from freshman midfielder
Savannah Palmer-Byrne (Little Rock). Assisted by Brice, freshman striker Emily Gorrell
(Tulsa, Oklahoma) added NPC’s third score of the match at the 41-minute mark, cruising
into halftime with a 3-0 advantage.
In the second half, NPC’s defense flourished, keeping the Lady Colts’ offense off
the scoreboard. Over the final six minutes of play, the Nighthawks padded their lead
on a Brice-assisted goal from sophomore midfielder Jada Hammett (Little Rock), followed
by Gorrell’s second goal of the game, assisted by sophomore midfielder Chloe Sosa
(Snyder, Texas).
In men’s action, NPC (7-0-2) flexed its offensive prowess and rode its strong defense
to
victory in its first NJCAA Region 2 match of the season. In the first half, sophomore
winger Noal Searl (Merthyr Tydfil, Wales) gave the Nighthawks the lead at the 14-minute
mark, assisted by freshman winger Paulo Ndenzako (Memphis, Tennessee). NPC struck
again 29 minutes into the match, with Ndenzako finding the back of the net, assisted
by sophomore midfielder Daniel David (London, England). Behind a strong defensive
effort from sophomore goalkeeper Luke Berry (Manchester, England), NPC held off the
Colts to lead, 2-0, after 45 minutes.
The Nighthawks kept their foot on the gas in the second half, with Searl adding his
second goal two minutes into the period, assisted by Ndenzako. Freshman winger Ali
Muganga (Nashville, Tennessee) and sophomore striker Felix Rocca (Leipzig, Germany)
added goals down the stretch for NPC, building a 5-0 advantage. Late in the match,
the Colts avoided the shutout on a free kick goal with 19:24 remaining, but could
not overcome the deficit as NPC remained undefeated on the season.
Berry added three saves for NPC in the win.
NPC men’s and women’s soccer returns to action Wednesday, September 27 at Dallas College-Mountain
View. Women’s action begins at 2 p.m., followed by men’s action at 4 p.m.
For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawk Athletics online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.
Facebook: Nighthawk Athletics
Instagram: nighthawkathletics
X: @NPC_Nighthawks
