By Carol Swenson
McPherson College's men's soccer team continued its pre-KCAC schedule against another nationally ranked team on Saturday as Bulldogs fell to 19
th ranked Mid-America Nazarene in Olathe, Kan., by a 6-0 score.
In addition to playing against a high level of competition to this point of the season, injuries have added to the difficulties the Bulldogs have faced.
Using their fourth goal keeper of the season, the Pioneers of MANU pelted
Jose Alonso (FR, Wichita, Kan., Derby HS) in the Bulldog goal with 19 shots plus an additional 10 corner kicks.
Trailing only 1-0 at halftime after the Pioneers opened the scoring 7:36 into the opening period, McPherson then saw MANU convert five of 11 second period shots with three of the goals coming during a span of just over five minutes.
McPherson fired five shots in each half, with four on goal, one each by
David Mwinga (R-JR, Santa Rosa, Calif.),
Chris Kelly (SR, Glasgow, Scotland),
Diego Loza (SR, San Diego, Calif.) and
Sean Thomson (FR, Dorset, England), but each was turned away by MANU.
"We still have yet to play a game completely healthy, without multiple guys sitting out," noted coach
Doug Quint afterward. "Playing the level of competition we have, this early in the season and most of it away from home, has provided us with some growing pains. Mid-America Nazarene is a very strong side, one that will have another outstanding season. Now it's time to put this one in the back of our minds, bounce back and get ready to begin KCAC play."
The Bulldogs will take a 0-4-1 non-conference record into KCAC play beginning next week when they host a pair of KCAC matches; Wednesday against Tabor at 7:30 p.m. on the artificial turf of McPherson Stadium, then again on Saturday when they host Southwestern at 3:00 p.m. on the natural grass field of "The Kennel".
