Dodge City men's soccer stepped outside of conference play and got a much-needed win to build some confidence ahead of the stretch run in conference play looming ahead. The Conquistadors took down Trinidad State 7-2 spraying in five unanswered goals in the second half.
The win moves the Conqs to 4-6 on the season with eight matches remaining with five conference tilts and three non-conference matches.
The action picked up early as the Conqs established early control of the matchup by dominating the possession and would spray 12 early shots before Trinidad State would even get their first shot. However, the Trojans of Trinidad State would have a strong chance nearly 18 minutes into the contest netting the first goal of the day on their first shot. Things would head in the wrong direction for the Conqs just over six minutes later when a red card was issued leading the Conqs to play a man down from nearly the 25-minute mark of the match forward.
Trailing 1-0 the Conqs continued to push ahead for offensive opportunities and in the 27th minute a handball in the box led to a penalty kick try for the Conqs which would be shot straight down the middle for a goal by
Hamza Bennadi to draw the contest even. Bennadi's fancy footwork would lead him to give the Conqs the lead in the 35th minute as he netted his second goal of the contest and the Conqs would lead 2-1 at halftime.
In the second just three minutes into the half Trinidad State found a way to tie the game up at 2-2 but the Conqs were resilient and would score five unanswered goals to secure the win. The lead flipped back to the Conqs with a
Soma Kanazawa goal in the 55th minute as Bennadi recorded the assist.
Arthur Lemeunier tallied his first goal of the season in the 60th minute as Kanazawa picked up the assist. In the 80th minute
David Garcia on a corner kick got the Conq's fifth goal with the help of a Trinidad State defender. While
Felipe Samary tallied a goal in the 82nd minute and Bennadi finished the scoring in the 84th minute on a pass from
Jackson Balderramos.
The Conqs would outshoot Trinidad State 44-12 in the matchup with 22 shots on goal. Bennadi tallied the hat trick with three goals, while Kanazawa, Garcia, Samary, and Lemeunier each tallied a goal.
Geovanni De Luna recorded five saves in goal for the Conqs.
It's back to conference play on Saturday, October 5th for the Conqs as they square off with KCK and then will turn around and play #1 Indian Hills on Sunday, October 6th in Kansas City.
