Men's Soccer | 10/20/2010 8:48:16 AM
Match 14: McPherson (6-6-1, 3-2-0) at Sterling College (2-10-2, 0-5-0)
Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010 | 4:00 p.m. | Sterling, Kan.
Match 15: McPherson (6-6-1, 3-2-0) at Bethany College (3-9-1, 2-3-0)
Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010 | 4:00 p.m. | Lindsborg, Kan.
Weekly Game Notes (PDF)
Bulldogs travel to Sterling, Bethany
The McPherson men’s soccer team looks the right the ship after a heartbreaking overtime loss against Friends University last Saturday night. The Bulldogs enter the week with a pair of road matches as they travel to Sterling College (2-10-2, 0-5-0) and Bethany College (3-9-1, 2-3-0). McPherson (6-6-1, 3-2-0) is currently tied for fourth place in the KCAC standing, while the Warriors are 10th and the Swedes rank sixth. Start time for both games is 4:00 p.m. CST.
Prior to Friends, McPherson had won three of its last four, including a pair of road matches against Tabor College and University of Saint Mary. The Bulldog put together possibly their best performance of the year in the 4-0 rout of the Spires.
Bulldog senior Brent Mulford has been the focal point of the McPherson offense to this juncture of the season. Mulford not only leads the team with eight goals and 17 points, but ranks amongst the top five in the conference in both categories. On the year, he has taken a team-high 50 shots (28 on goal).
Sophomore Geverton Ost has made his presence known of late. The native of Brazil ranks fifth in the KCAC with four assists, including two in the last four games. Defensively, Blake Jett ranks second with a 1.21 goals against average. He has made 48 saves on the season.
Looking to next week, McPherson returns home for a match with Southwestern College (Wednesday, Oct. 27), before wrapping up the regular season at Kansas Wesleyan on Saturday, Oct. 30. Both contests are scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m.
Last week for the Bulldogs
McPherson continued KCAC play with a midweek matchup against Bethel College. The Bulldog offense came alive early in the first half when defender Lance Dick netted his first goal of the season on an incredible strike from 30 yards out.
The Bulldogs added two more goals, while conceding one in the second half to earn the 3-1 win. Tyler Tank and Phillip Moore were credited with the scores.
Following Bethel, McPherson continued it brief home stand against Friends University on Saturday. MC jumped out to an early lead on a Michael Phillips header in the 14th minute. The goal marked the first of Phillip’s career.
However, MC could not hold off the Falcons offensive attack as they scored in the 74th and 94th minutes to take the 2-1 overtime win.
Scouting Sterling
Sterling (2-10-2, 0-5-0) is riding a six match losing streak and is currently winless in conference play. The Warriors last victory came against York College, 3-0, on Sept. 25. Since the, SC has been outscored by its opponents 20-6, including a 9-2 defeat by nationally ranked Kansas Wesleyan University.
Midfielder Cuyler Prichard has three goals and four assists to lead the team with 10 points on the season. He currently is tied for fifth in the KCAC in assists. His best performance of the season came against York College when he scored two goals. Despite being the team leader or at least tied for the team lead in the three major offensive categories, Prichard is yet to register a point in KCAC action. He has been held scoreless in all five matches.
The Warriors are giving up an average of 2.57 goals per game. Goalkeeper Riley Zelus has seen a majority of the action in goal and owns a 1-9-1 mark. He has tallied 60 saves, while allowing 24 goals.
Dave Underwood is in his second season as the Warrior head coach and owns a 7-18-6 record.
Scouting Bethany
Bethany (2-9-2, 1-3-1) enters the week with one win in its last six matches. The Swedes lone victory came last Saturday at the hands of winless Sterling College, 2-1. Despite being outshot by the Warriors, 14-11, BC received goals from Gildardo Navarro and John Nuthall en route to the 2-1 win.
As a team, the Swedes have been outscored by their opponents 39-20. Goalkeepers Alonzo Cordova and Logan Adams have split time in net for Bethany. Adams has played the primary role, owning a 3-9-1 record and a 2.40 goals against average. He has tallied 83 saves and .735 save percentage on the year.
Offensively, Bethany is led by forward John Nuthall, who has 21 points on eight goals and five assists. Although Nuthall leads the team in all offensive categories, midfielder Gildardo Navarro and defender Scott Jumeaux also pose a strong scoring threat with five goals each, respectively.
Bethany’s Jeff Kidd is in his fourth season as the Swedes head coach. Prior to BC, Kidd spent time at Great Bend High School.
