RCC men’s soccer team tops NCU
Published 9:07 am Wednesday, August 31, 2011
The Riverland men’s soccer team rallied with two goals in the second half to beat North Central University 2-1 in Minneapolis Tuesday.
Rafael Bellon tied the game up in the 55th minute when he chipped in a powerful shot from 25 yards out.
“Rafael scored a goal which is seen at the professional games,” RCC head coach Soner Dogan said. “It could have been ESPN’s top 10 list.”
Later in the second half, the Blue Devils (3-0 overall) drew a penalty on a hand ball right before Valantine Manzano put one through the net, so his score was waved off. However, Diego Luiz stepped up and drilled the penalty kick in the 80th minute.
“We are very happy with this win because it was against a four year college team,” Dogan said. “It shows we could play at their level easily. This win gave my players and coaching crew more confidence and it made us believe in each other more.”
Manzano almost made it a two-goal lead, but his 25-yard shot deflected off the post.
NCU scored its only goal when ball slipped between keeper Esteban Sebastian’s hands.
“The ball went through because of wet field conditions,” Dogan said. “It was the only mistake Sebastian made as he was very good in goal.”
Sebastian finished with eight saves.