Cowley College tops No. 1 Daytona State, makes semifinals for first time

The Cowley College men’s soccer team punched its ticket to the NJCAA Division I National Championship semifinals Tuesday morning.

The No. 8 seed Tigers defeated No. 1 Daytona State College 5-1 to head to the semifinals for the first time in school history.

“I am extremely proud of this group, it is the first time we have been in the top four officially been in the top four, they deserved it. Those that played, those that didn’t play and those back home, everyone contributed today,” Cowley College men’s soccer coach Ruy Vaz said. “We want to make sure we are not done yet. We have to keep moving forward with the right mentality and just try to recover both physically and mentally.”

Cowley’s Caique Trivelato scored the first two goals of the game and now has five in the tournament.

Up 2-0, the Tigers continued to put pressure on Daytona State College as Mate Kenyeres made it 3-0 and then Hideto Gondo and Anthony Capelotto both found the back of the net.

Up 5-0 with three minutes left, Daytona State College’s Christian Cordeiro scored to prevent the shutout.

“We were a bit tired because we played yesterday but I am very proud of our defense which starts with our forwards. The only word that comes to me is pride. I am proud of these guys,” Vaz said.