Men's Soccer | 11/12/2009 12:00:00 AM
Box Score McPherson, Kan. – After going undefeated in the KCAC regular season to win the first KCAC regular season championship in the programs history, the McPherson College men’s soccer team lost the ability to lock up an automatic bid in the NAIA National Tournament with a 2-1 loss to Friends University in a KCAC semifinal match Wednesday night at McPherson Stadium.
The loss drops McPherson to 15-2 on the year, while Friends improves to 13-3-3.
Senior forward Armando Rodriguez accounted for the lone McPherson score, netting his team-high 16th goal of the season. Senior midfielder Alex Toro was credited with an assist on the play.
The Falcons held a slight edge on the Bulldogs in shots, 9-5. Rodriguez led the Bulldogs with two shots, including one on goal.
After an evenly played first 45 minutes, Friends University drew first blood in the 59th minute as senior forward Brandon Rhodes placed a ball around the driving McPherson goalkeeper. Friends defender Tyler Mitchell possessed the ball on the far side of the box, flicking a pass in to the middle to Rhodes. Rhodes took one touch and placed the ball in the lower right corner for the 1-0 advantage.
McPherson answered back a little less than ten minutes later at the 67:59 mark. Toro back heeled a ball to Rodriguez at the top of the 18-yard box. Rodriguez battled past two defenders, poking the ball past the Falcon goalkeeper just outside of the six-yard box evening the score at ones.
The Falcons put the game away in the 74th minute on a long throw from defender Chase Billings. Billings throw was flicked on by sophomore forward Brent Hobson just past the diving Blake Jett and into the back of the net.
McPherson scrambled to even the score, but could not get past the Falcon defense that had moved seven players back to help control the McPherson offense.
McPherson will have to wait for Sunday, Nov. 15 to see if they will receive an at-large bid to the NAIA National Tournament.
