McPHERSON, Kan. (macbulldogs.com) ---
Greg Roller (Topeka, Kan., Pratt CC) scored two first-half goals and assisted on another to stake the McPherson College men's soccer team to a 3-0 halftime lead, but it was his through ball to the foot of
Sadam Ali (Tucson, Ariz., Pima CC) in the 88th minute that was the difference-maker in the Bulldogs' 4-3 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) victory over Bethel College Saturday afternoon at McPherson Stadium.
Ali took the feed from Roller and scored on a low, line-drive shot that snuck underneath the outstretched arm of Thresher goalkeeper Kobi Russom. The goal came just 18 seconds after Bethel (7-5, 3-1 KCAC) had erased a three-goal deficit when Richard Ebel headed in an Aron Lundh corner kick.
The Bulldogs (4-5, 3-1 KCAC) raced out to a quick 3-0 lead. The first goal came in the 15th minute when
Aaron McCready (Raphoe, Ireland, Royal and Prior Comprehensive School) chipped a ball deep into McPherson's offensive zone. Roller caught up to the ball, then sent a pass across the mouth of the goal to a waiting
Diego Loza (San Diego, Calif., San Diego Mesa College) on the far post.
Roller notched his first goal three minutes later.
Christopher Kelly (Glasgow, Scotland, St. Ambrose HS) fought through a double-team near the end line and was able to get a pass to Loza, who touched the ball on to Roller, who was able to slide a shot past Russom. His second goal came in the 29th minute. After receiving a pass from
Jared Robbins (Cotati, Calif., Santa Rosa JC), Roller turned and fired a shot into the lower left corner of the goal that Russom was not able to catch up to.
McPherson had a commanding 12-3 edge in shots in the first half, using crisp passes to dictate tempo and possession.
Bethel became more active in the offensive half in the second half, but it took until the 61st minute for the Threshers to get on the board. Jesus Alba intercepted an errant McPherson pass and challenged McPherson goalkeeper
Jose Alonso (Wichita, Kan., Derby HS), but the ball was poked away before Alba could get a shot off. Dante Texeira was waiting in the wings, however, and fired a shot that neither an out-of-position Alonso nor the two Bulldog defenders in the vicinity could get a boot on.
The final two Thresher goals came off corner kicks. In the 72nd minute, Thomas Minor headed in a Texeira corner kick. The second came in the 88th minute when Ebel scored off the foot of Lundh.
McPherson out-shot Bethel, 20-11, overall and had a 15-6 advantage in shots on goal.
Roller finished with seven shots, including five that found the frame, with two goals and two assists. Loza added three shots, while
Tyler Minney (Stewkley, England, Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School) and
Ian Canevari (Valencia, Calif., College of the Canyons) had two shots apiece. Loza and Minney each had two shots on goal.
Alonso was credited with three saves.
Jonas Tingberg had three shots to lead Bethel. In goal, Russom had 11 saves.
McPherson will look to get back to the .500 mark Wednesday night against Ottawa (5-5-1, 3-1 KCAC). Ottawa defeated Saint Mary, 4-0, on Saturday and is currently on a three-match winning streak following a loss at Oklahoma Wesleyan to open KCAC play. Kickoff from McPherson Stadium is slated for 7:30 p.m. The Bulldogs and Braves are currently in a four-way tie (with Bethel and Friends) for third place on the KCAC table with 3-1 marks. Oklahoma Wesleyan and Kansas Wesleyan are both currently unbeaten in KCAC play at 4-0.
