Rafael Martinez

OTTUMWA — The NJCAA No. 19 Marshalltown Community College soccer team started off the Wells Fargo Cup with a 2-0 victory over Cloud County Community College on Saturday, but the win meant much more for the Tiger program.

It was the 100th win of head coach Rafael Martinez’s career with MCC, improving his already program-best record to 100-36-7.

“It’s incredible how time flies,” Martinez, who is in his eighth season with the Tigers, said of the milestone. “This is obviously a team accomplishment so I want to thank everyone that has been a part of those wins, players, coaches, and the administrators that trusted me to lead the program.”

The Tigers (3-0) jumped out to an early lead on a goal by Jiroh Hatano in the 19th minute, then Sekou Kromah made it 2-0 inthe 35th minute off an assist by Kazuki Kimura.

The Thunderbirds (1-2) out of Concordia, Kan., struggled to get anything going against a strong MCC defense, with Joel Serrano recording saves on all four Cloud County shots on goal.

Marshalltown will look to give Martinez his 101st win today in the second game of the Wells Fargo Cup, when it takes on Jefferson College at Indian Hills Community College starting at 1 p.m.