McPHERSON, Kan. (macbulldogs.com) --- The McPherson College men's soccer team remained unbeaten in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference play with a 3-1 victory over Tabor College Saturday afternoon at McPherson Stadium.
Tabor (3-4, 0-2 KCAC) grabbed the early lead as Federico Bove eluded a couple of defenders and launched a shot from 30 yards out in the 16th minute. It as a strike that normally would have nicked the crossbar or sailed high, but a stiff south breeze deadened the ball just enough for it to sneak into the upper right corner of the goal past an outstretched
Jose Alonso (Wichita, Kan., Derby HS).
McPherson (3-4, 2-0 KCAC) equalized five minutes later. In the 21st minute,
Christopher Kelly (Glasgow, Scotland, St. Ambrose HS) charged down the sideline to the left of Bluejay keeper Derrick Eszlinger. Approaching the end line, he sent a cross in to
Tyler Minney (Stewkley, England, Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School), who flicked it on to
Greg Roller (Topeka, Kan., Pratt CC). Roller, positioned to Eszlinger's right, deposited the ball in for a goal before the Bluejay keeper could react.
The Bulldogs had a number of chances with the wind at their back in the first half, outshooting the Bluejays 9-2 overall and 6-1 in shots on goal.
The hosts took the lead early in the second half as
Hernan Maldonado (National City, Calif., San Diego Mesa College) made a deep drive down the right sideline, then found Minney alone on the far post for the easy goal.
The final McPherson goal came in the 78th minute when the Bulldogs were awarded a penalty kick after
Diego Loza (San Diego, Calif., San Diego Mesa College) was fouled inside the 18.
Jared Robbins (Cotati, Calif., Santa Rosa JC) - as he did twice on Wednesday at Sterling - drained the PK to give McPherson a two-goal advantage.
The Bluejays had an opportunity to halve the lead in the 82nd minute as McPherson was called for a handball in the box. Alonso rose to the occasion, though, and deflected the Oscar Moyano penalty kick. The rebound went directly back to Moyano, who sent the gift chance high.
The Bulldogs finished with a 15-6 advantage in shots and a 9-3 edge in corner kicks.
Roller led all players with four shots, including two on goal. Kelly and Robbins each added two shots, while Alonso made a pair of saves in goal.
Bove accounted for three of Tabor's six shots with Moyano adding two and Rex Glenn one.
"We had some really good moments in possession today in a game that we completely dictated," said head coach
Doug Quint. "Our movement was good and we created a lot of nice chances. Overall, it was a good performance from us and another key three points."
Next up for the Bulldogs is a trip to Wichita Wednesday evening to face Friends University. Kickoff from Adair-Austin Stadium is slated for 8:30 p.m.
