The Snow College men's soccer team started the season off splitting its first two games. The Badgers defeated Casper College 8-1 before losing to Arizona Western College 3-2.
The Badgers opened their first two games of the season at home, beginning at home against
Casper, winning 8-1. Casper came into the season ranked 18th in the NJCAA Division I Men's Soccer Preseason Poll. Conversely, Snow College came into the season ranked 19th in the nation.
Snow College entered the game firing with four goals in the first half on 13 shots. Casper only had two shots in the first half with zero goals.
Snow College's first goal came in the 27th minute of the game. Issac Stanley passed to Jorge Beltran for the first goal of the season, making the game 1-0.
In the 29th minute, JJ Cubillas assisted Zach Henn to bring the score to 2-0. Two minutes later, Snow College was awarded a penalty kick after Casper committed a foul in the box. Cubillas scored, making the score 3-0.
Cubillas scored his second goal of the game in the 36th minute as Jace Thomson fed him the assist, bringing the score to 4-0 as the Badgers entered halftime.
The second half was a lot like the first half, with the Badgers in control of the game.
Casper started the second half trying to gain momentum, scoring a goal in the 48th minute.
In the 64th minute of the game, Alex Guillory scored his first goal of the season and the Badgers' fifth of the game, making the score 5-1.
Jorge Beltran fed a pass to Michael Martinez for his first goal of the game in the 78th minute. Six minutes later, Martinez returned the favor to Beltran to score his second goal of the game, and the Badgers led 7-1.
The Badgers' final tally of the game came just seconds later as Dylan Meek scored his first goal as Gabe Newman and Cubillas combined to create an open shot for Meek, who beat the keeper. Snow College went on to win 8-1.
After coming off the win, Snow College hosted No. 13 AWC, losing 3-2.
AWC scored early in the game on a penalty kick and took a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute. Later in the half, the Matadors were awarded another penalty kick, which was made, bringing the score to 2-0 at halftime.
The Matadors scored their final tally of the game in the 52nd minute to take a 3-0 lead. Shortly thereafter, the game entered a lightning delay. The delay lasted one hour and 10 minutes before play resumed.
Right after the game resumed, Snow College started to gain momentum and scored its first goal of the game in the 59th minute of the game. Kade Davis passed to Martinez for his second goal of the season, bringing the Badgers within two goals.
The Badgers gave one final effort as Cubillas fed a pass to Martinez, who scored in the 88th minute. The comeback attempt was thwarted, and Snow College suffered the loss 3-2.
Snow College finished the game with 19 shots compared to just 13 from AWC. Both teams recorded seven saves throughout the game.
Snow College will travel next week to Ottumwa, Iowa, to play in the IHCC Classic. On Friday the Badgers will face No. 1 Indian Hills Community College at 2:00 p.m. Then Saturday the Badgers will take on No. 4 Mohave Community College at 1:00 p.m. MST. For video streaming and live stats information, visit snowbadgers.com.
