PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. -- A couple of second-half goals and a shutout in the second half proved to be the difference for the Yavapai College men's soccer team as it defeated the College of Southern Nevada 3-1 Thursday night at Mountain Valley Park in Prescott Valley.

"I'm happy to have our first official game under our belt," head coach Andre Luciano said. "It was, at times, a physical game and, at times, they [College of Southern Nevada] controlled the possession of the game for stretches.

"Once we made an adjustment and were able to counter off of their overloads, the game shifted in our favor. We created some great chances and capitalized on three of those opportunities so that was a positive. We still have lots to work on going forward."

The Roughriders dominated the possession to start the game and it showed up on the scoresheet. Just seven minutes into the game, No. 20 Mael Lopes sent a cross pass off the foot of No. 19 Carlos Nunez in what became the first goal of the game. 

Leading 1-0, Yavapai logged some more great scoring chances in the first half but was unable to find the back of the net and saw the field tilt in the favor of the Coyotes. 

With ten minutes to go in the first half, Southern Nevada tied the match after knocking in a loose rebound that was given up after a save on a tough shot. 

When the teams came out after halftime, the Coyotes continued to apply pressure and threatened to take the lead. 

Yavapai, however, capitalized on a free-kick opportunity and took a 2-1 lead with 32:00 to go in the game as No. 6 Jesse Maldonado kicked a ball that was headed in by No. 11 Ezekiel Anaya. 

Leading 2-1, the Roughriders turned the heat up and started to dominate the pace of play and scored just four minutes later to balloon their advantage to 3-1. 

This time, the aforementioned Anaya charged down the field with fellow teammate No. 7 Dauda Woodruff with a 2-on-1 advantage and fed a beautiful touch pass to Woodruff who put some nice touch himself on a shot that slipped to the right of the goaltender and into the back of the net. 

After Woodruff's goal, the team's were kept off the score sheet and Yavapai took home the 3-1 victory. Anaya led the charge with three points on the day (one goal and one assist). 

Up Next
The men's soccer squad is back in action Saturday with a 5 p.m. match against Community Christian College in Prescott Valley at Mountain Valley Park. The game can also be streamed on GoRoughriders.com/Live.