By Nick Novy/Cincinnati State Sports Information

Albany, GA---Tyler Gumbert and Kyle Grothaus led Cincinnati State offensively in a 2-0 win over Northwest College (Wyoming) in Tuesday's opening round of the NJCAA national tournament.

Although Cincinnati State out-shot the Northwest Trappers 7-3 in the first half, the match remained scoreless until the opening minute of the second half when Gumbert, a graduate of Anderson High School, scored off a cross from Bradley Gale. Grothaus gave the Surge breathing room late in the game, scoring off a rebound after a direct free kick from Liam Doyle.

Goalkeeper Ryan Strunk made 5 saves in the shutout victory.

"We played solid for 90 minutes, which is what it takes to compete on the national stage against the best junior college has to offer," said Cincinnati State Head Coach Mike Combs. "With today's win, we are in control of our own destiny as far as advancing out of the group stage. A win and we move on."

The No. 6 seeded Surge concludes pool play against No. 3 seed Louisburg Community College (N.C.) on Wednesday at 2:30 pm. In order to advance out of Group C, Cincinnati State must win. Louisburg can win or tie to emerge from the group stage.

The national tournament is being played at Darton State College in Albany, Ga. All matches will be televised via the National Junior College Athletic Association's on-line network, www.njcaatv.ihigh.com.

ABOUT CINCINNATI STATE

Cincinnati State (www.cincinnatistate.edu) offers more than 100 associate degree and certificate programs in business technologies, health and public safety, engineering technologies, humanities and sciences and information technologies. Cincinnati State has one of the largest cooperative education programs in the United States.