Photo by Jakob Komel
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College men's soccer team broke the 2021 KCAC Quarterfinal curse. Prior to Friday night's men's soccer match up with Kansas Wesleyan, the MC Athletic Department had hosted three other KCAC tournament quarterfinal games, and had come up short in all three.
On a windy and dreary spring night, the men's soccer team secured the first KCAC tournament win for the Bulldog Athletic Department, defeating KWU 1-0 on a goal with two seconds remaining on the clock. It was another game in which the Bulldogs dominated the time of possession and were technically superior all over the field, but a lack of scoring, something that has plagued them all season, was evident again against the Coyotes.
The Bulldogs had several great looks but couldn't find a way to get the ball into the goal. Tactically, both teams had a completely different approach to the game. The Bulldogs' strategy was to build out of the back, and keep possession of the ball, trying to create opportunities by constantly moving the ball around. The Coyotes on the other hand relied on counter attack opportunities to try and generate scoring chances.
These tactical strategies were reflected in the stat totals. The Bulldogs outshot the Coyotes 22 to 9, and 8 to 6 in shots on goal. They had 10 corner kicks to just two for KWU, but to have that many set piece opportunities and not convert is frustrating.
As Nathan Robl, the voice of Bulldog soccer this season, was counting down the final 10 seconds over the loud speaker, the center referee blew his whistle and signaled for the game clock to be stopped with six seconds remaining in regulation. Overtime loomed, but the Bulldogs were awarded a free kick on a foul by the Coyotes. With six ticks remaining, the Bulldogs lined up for one last shot from about 35 yards out.
Freshman Diego Santibanez, a left footed midfielder stood over the ball which was placed to the right of the 18 yard box. It's not completely clear what his intent was, whether he was shooting the ball, or just playing a ball into the box and looking for a teammate to run on, but he struck a perfect ball that skipped off the ground in the six yard box and skirted under the arms of the KWU goal keeper, who was diving to his left.
In the pandemonium that followed the goal, the clock hit zeros, not stopping on the made shot. The center referee indicated two seconds to be put back on the clock. The Coyotes had one last shot from mid-field, but kicking into the wind, the ball didn't come close to reaching the goal. Time ran out, and the Bulldogs were free to celebrate the 1-0 victory.
Jose Alonso and Colby Swift each played a half in goal for the Bulldogs and combined for the clean sheet. Alonso made five saves in the first half, and Swift picked up the win, facing just one shot on goal in the second half.
"What a finish to another great storied rivalry," said Bulldog head coach Doug Quint. "It's always a tough match with the history between us. We were prepared for a dogfight tonight and that is what we got. I really felt our discipline, depth and fitness showed in the second half. We absolutely dominated and I just kept saying the winner was coming." Quint added, "We controlled the game throughout and dealt with their counter attacks well defensively. Now we need to get some players healthy and prepare for the semi-finals."
With the win, the Bulldogs advance to next Wednesday's KCAC semi-finals down at the Stryker Soccer Complex in Wichita, Kansas. Their opponent will be the winner of Sterling College and Ottawa University who play Saturday at 1:00. Â
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