WINFIELD, Kan. (macbulldogs.com) --- The McPherson College men's soccer team improved to 5-2 in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) and got back to the .500 mark overall with a 3-0 victory over Southwestern College Wednesday evening at Richard L. Jantz Stadium.
The Bulldogs (6-6, 5-2 KCAC) out-shot the Builders (1-13, 1-6 KCAC), 7-3, but could not push a ball past Southwestern goalkeeper Dean Wilson in what proved to be a scoreless first half.
After making some adjustments at the break, McPherson exploded for 15 shots in the second half. The Bulldogs finally broke through against Wilson in the 71st minute when
Kaonnye Opazo (Lancaster, Calif., College of the Canyons) scored off an assist from
Christopher Kelly (Glasgow, Scotland, St. Ambrose HS). The lead held until the 89th minute when Kelly found the back of the net off an assist from
Ian Canevari (Valencia, Calif., College of the Canyons). Canevari joined the goal-scoring party 32 seconds later off an assist from
Greg Roller (Topeka, Kan., Pratt CC).
Kelly matched the entire Southwestern team with five shots, including three on goal.
Aaron McCready (Raphoe, Ireland, Royal and Prior Comprehensive School) and
Edward Gomez (Lancaster, Calif., College of the Canyons) each added four shots, with three of Gomez' markers finding the frame. Roller and
Diego Loza (San Diego, Calif., San Diego Mesa College) had three shots apiece.
DeShaun Ruiz (Choctaw, Okla., Carl Albert Senior HS) made three saves for McPherson en route to a clean sheet in his first collegiate appearance.
Tre Thomas, Justin Calicchia, and Isaiah Washington all had shots on goal for Southwestern. Wilson was credited with seven saves.
"Southwestern stayed very organized and tight defensively tonight which presented a problem for us to solve," said head coach
Doug Quint. "Coach Pond had [Southwestern] ready to play. The adjustments we made at halftime really showed with our performance in the second half. The guys really started finding their gaps in possession to create nice scoring opportunities. I applaud the lads for the game-winner. What a fantastic goal that was to watch develop!"
The Bulldogs return to the pitch Saturday evening with a match against county rival Bethany College. Kickoff from Lindstrom Field in Lindsborg is slated for 7:30 p.m.
