By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, Ohio---Matt Almester (St. John's Jesuit/Rossford, Ohio) scored off a direct free kick in the second half, but it wasn't enough as the Owens Community College men's soccer team fell 2-1 to No. 13 Cincinnati State Technical and Community College at home today.

The game marked the season opener for both teams.

Cincinnati State opened the game's scoring when Mohamed Thiaw booted in a cross 19:43 into the game. Later in the first half, Jahmall Whittaker (Herbert Morrison Tech/Queens, N.Y.) of Owens was whistled for a foul in the box, and Cincinnati State's Reid Abdney converted the penalty kick for a 2-0 lead with 7:38 remaining.

Owens had several chances to score in the first half, highlighted a shot by Maxwell Ejiogui (Beauchamps/Wickford, Essex, U.K.) that was saved by Cincinnati State's Jake Mutlu. 

About 15 minutes into the second half, Reiss Liggitt (Seminole/Birmingham, England) nearly tied the game on a beautiful bicycle kick, but the ball bounced off the middle of the crossbar.

In the 83rd minute, Almester tallied his goal to pull Owens within one to make for an exciting final seven minutes. Owens wasn't able to put across a game-tying goal, however, while goalkeeper Kyle Rowan (Perrysburg/Perrysburg, Ohio) stopped a Cincinnati State shot just moments before time expired.

Rowan made eight saves in net for Owens (0-1).

Owens will be back in action tomorrow at 2 p.m. at home against Parkland College.