Men's Soccer | 11/3/2011 3:04:00 PM
Live Video
Live Stats
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College men’s soccer team opens Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament action on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 6:30 p.m. (CT), as the Bulldogs host Tabor College at McPherson Stadium. The Bulldogs earned the No. 4 seed with an 11-6-0 overall record and 6-3-0 mark in KCAC play, while the Blue Jay enter the tournament seeded fifth with an 11-5-1 record on the season, including a 5-3-1 mark in the league. The match will air live on Macbulldogs.com with additional coverage provided by the KCAC Broadcast Network.
The Bulldogs are in search of their third KCAC championship in four seasons. MC’s hopes for a third consecutive title ended in the semifinal round against Kansas Wesleyan University a year ago. McPherson owns a 3-4 record in their last seven postseason matches.
McPherson enters contest winners of three of their last four, but fell in their last outing, 2-1, against nationally ranked Kansas Wesleyan. The Bulldogs found the equalizer in the 87
th minute on a goal by junior forward
Juan Garcia (Reno, Nev.) after falling behind 1-0 following a set-piece score by the Coyotes midway through the opening half. Kansas Wesleyan, however, would answer less than two minutes later when advantage was called back to give KWU a free kick opportunity with less than a minute remaining. Kansas Wesleyan took full advantage of the chance when Briant Reyes netted the game winner.
Tabor comes into tournament play off a 2-0 victory against Bethany College. The victory improved TC to 2-2 in their last four. In their first meeting with McPherson, Tabor conceded three second half scored en route to the 4-1 loss.
The winner of Saturday’s McPherson-Tabor match moves to the semifinals to face No. 1 Kansas Wesleyan on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. (CT). The Coyotes earned the No. 1 seed with an unbeaten 9-0 mark in conference play.
The finals, which are being hosted by Bethany College, are set for 1 p.m. (CT) on Saturday, Nov. 12.
Scouting Tabor
-
The Blue Jays are 6-2-0 on the road this season. TC’s only two road losses came at McPherson (4-1) and Friends (2-1).
-
Tabor finished the regular season ranked third in all major scoring categories, including goals (36), assists (27) and shots (252), while resting in second in shutouts with five on the year.
-
Midfielder Marian Saar leads the team in goals with nine, while fellow midfielder Jordan Maska is second with eight. In addition to Saar and Maska, Tabor has only two others with double figure points including Robert Masson (16) and David Simmet (16).
-
Goalie Dalton Burkhard ranks third in the league with three shutouts and fourth with a 1.51 goals against average. He owns a .684 save percentage in 13 matches this season.
-
Tabor has outscored their opponents, 36-23, on the year.
-
Tabor averages 14.8 shots per game, including 7.5 in the first period.
