By:  DANA BECKER

The Messenger Sports Reporter

dbecker@messengernews.net

COUNCIL BLUFFS — The Iowa Central soccer teams put up a fight against highly-regarded Iowa Western here Wednesday.

In the men's game, the Tritons came up short vs. the top-ranked Reivers, 2-1, while the women were bested by No. 9 Iowa Western, 2-0.

Junior Casillas got the Reivers on the board with a goal in the 20th minute, while Wawa Palga made it 2-0 in the 72nd off an assist by Claudel Ngongang. Jesus De Vicente had an assist on the Casillas goal.

In the 89th minute, Kolby Godbolt broke through the Iowa Western defense with a goal for the Tritons (4-4 overall, 0-2 in ICCAC). Kanta Miyakawa was credited with an assist.

Benjamin Venegas Martinez had four saves in net for Iowa Central.

The match was a physical contest, as five yellow cards were handed out, including three to Iowa Western players. The Reivers had eight shots and six on goal, while the Tritons tallied four shots and one on goal.

The Reivers are receiving all eight first-place votes in the latest NJCAA Div. I poll. They are joined by Iowa Lakes, who is sixth, with the Tritons receiving votes.

In the women's match, Hanna Schimmer had a goal in the first half and Courtney Harrison in the second. Marta Llopis recorded an assist on the Schimmer goal.

Jayden Kirsch had 14 saves in net for the Tritons (5-3, 0-2), as both teams picked up a yellow card each.

"We defended well and our girls worked for 90 minutes," ICCC women's head coach Jordan Sibenaller said. "We need to create more chances going forward.

"Overall, I was very happy with how we handled a tough team."

A doubleheader with Iowa Lakes is set for next Wednesday in Spencer beginning with the men's contest at 1 p.m.

Full article:  https://www.messengernews.net/sports/local-sports/2022/09/tritons-square-off-with-ranked-reivers/