The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk men’s and women’s soccer teams dropped their matches against St. Charles Community College at Hot Springs World Class High School Sunday, with the women falling to the Cougars, 4-1, and the men losing a 1-0 decision.
Despite having just 10 players available for the match, the Nighthawk women (0-3) fared well against the ninth-ranked Cougars in a rematch of last season’s Central District Championship match. Weathering multiple shots on goal in the early minutes, the Nighthawks’ defense stood tall to keep the match scoreless. After St. Charles Community College broke the stalemate midway through the first half, NPC answered in the final two minutes of the period with a goal from freshman striker Madison Hernandez (Brownsboro, Texas) to send the match into halftime tied, 1-1.
Midway through the second half, St. Charles Community College took the lead for good, adding three goals over the final 15 minutes of play. With less than 10 minutes remaining in action, the match was suspended due to lightning and deemed complete, resulting in the loss for NPC.
Hernandez scored NPC’s lone goal in the match. Freshman goalkeeper Lily Paslay (Brookland) secured nine saves in the loss, moving into fourth place all-time at NPC.
In men’s action, NPC (0-3) rallied from a two-goal deficit to secure victory in the final minute.
In an exciting defensive showcase, a lone goal for St. Charles Community College proved to be the difference in men’s action. After the Cougars took the lead in the first half, NPC (0-3) was unable to equalize on six attempts down the stretch, resulting in the loss.
Nighthawk freshman goalkeeper Tim Grahmann (Rudesheim am Rhein, Germany) recorded seven saves in the loss.
National Park College faces Ranger College Wednesday, September 4, at Dallas College-Richland’s campus in Dallas, Texas. The Nighthawk women kick off at 4 p.m., followed by men’s action at 6 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.
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