Men's Soccer | 11/1/2009 12:00:00 AM
Box Score McPherson, Kan. – Junior forward Brent Mulford scored two first half goals to lead the Bulldogs to a 3-0 shutout of Bethany College on Saturday night at McPherson Stadium. With the win, the Bulldogs earned their first KCAC regular season championship and the No. 1 seed the KCAC postseason tournament.
McPherson improved to a school record 15-1 overall and 9-0 in KCAC action, while the Swedes drop to 7-10-1 overall and 3-5-1 in conference play. The win earned the Bulldogs their third straight shutout, 10th of the season, and extended the unbeaten streak to 12 matches.
A goal in the second minute gave McPherson an early 1-0 lead. On a corner kick from senior Armando Rodriguez, junior Brent Mulford netted a diving header past the sprawling goalkeeper for his 11th goal of the season.
Senior Alex Toro set up the next goal when he sent a pass through traffic up the right side to a streaking Mulford. Mulford took one touch before chipping the attacking keeper for his second goal of the match, 12th goal of the season, to put McPherson up 2-0. The assist is Toro’s team leading sixth of the year.
The third and final McPherson goal came at the 80:27 mark, when Rodriguez took two touches around a Swede defender before blasting a ball into the back of the net from 25 yards out. Rodriguez’s goal is his team leading 15th of the season.
McPherson produced 24 shots compared to 13 from Bethany. The Bulldogs also held the edge in corner kicks, 8-2.
Sophomore Blake Jett and senior John Godfrey combined for the teams 10th shutout.
Rodriguez led the Bulldogs with eight shots, including two shots on goal.
McPherson returns to action Wednesday, Nov. 11, in KCAC postseason action. The match will be held at McPherson Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m.
