SENATOBIA – The Northwest Mississippi Community College men's soccer team picked up a draw to open the season at home against the University of Arkansas – Cossatot, scoring late in the first half to earn a 1-1 draw on Friday afternoon at the Ranger Soccer Field.
"It's tough because we are in every game so far, so that's a positive," Head Coach Windham Whatley said after his debut as the head coach of the Rangers. "We are still showing how young we are with the mistakes that we are making, so you take the positive moments; you work on the negative moments. Overall, to not lose on day one is a positive.
The day was highlighted by a Bolu Owoyemi goal in the 45th minute of the first half on a cross from Audon Sammons to give a spark of life to a match that was dominated by the defenses and only saw four total shots in the opening half from the two sides combined.
It was the first collegiate goal for Owoyemi, and the English freshman said it is what he expects to do when he is given a strong pass into the box.
"I was just making sure I play my best for the team and score as many goals as I can to improve the team where I can," Owoyemi said. "(Sammons) got the ball and worked hard to get to the ball in the box, and I had to be there to finish the ball and do what a striker does."
Whatley echoed the sentiment, adding that seeing Sammons come through with a big pass also was good to see after the work the sophomore has put in.
"Graham has come a long way in my time here. He has transitioned roles from a striker to a winger, to an outside back, and he has proven that he can do a lot of things for the team, so to see him get on the stat sheet is a positive. For JB, that's what's expected of him, but as a team, we have to do a better job of finding him more often. That's three goals in four games, including the preseason, so if we can continue to find him, then good things are going to happen."
Unfortunately for Northwest, the offense would get bogged down in the second half, and the Colts took advantage of the lull, striking for a goal in the 53rd minute to even the game at 1-1.
Both sides had chances over the final 37 minutes to take the win, including a one-on-one with about 30 minutes to play that saw NWCC goalie TJay Gibb make an incredible save to keep the game even.
It marks back-to-back seasons now that the Rangers have opened the year with a draw, with last year's draw with Northeast Alabama Community College being converted to a forfeit later in the year.
Owoyemi said it isn't a bad start to the year, but they need to work on creating more chances in the attacking third.
"We need to get the ball in the box as much as possible; after all, we got a goal from a ball in the box. Hopefully we work on that in training and get more in the box so we can score more goals."
Northwest will be back in action on Tuesday afternoon at the Ranger Soccer Field when they host Dyersburg State Community College at 4:00 PM in Senatobia. The match will be streamed online at www.nwccrangers.com/watch with pregame beginning at 3:55.
You can follow along with Northwest men's soccer at nwccrangers.com or by following along on Ranger social media accounts.
