Photo by Jakob Komel
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College men's soccer team opened the 2021 season on Thursday evening with an impressive 2-1 win over a Briar Cliff University team, ranked #21 in the NAIA's preseason top 25 coaches poll.
Like the Bulldogs, the Chargers were coming off a spring performance in which they made an appearance in the NAIA National Championships Opening Round. The MC coaching staff knew this opener against the Chargers was going to be a great test for the Bulldogs, and the game lived up to its billing.
The Bulldogs didn't look particularly sharp in the early going despite having a good look at goal right out of the gate on a defensive miscue by the Chargers. In the first ten minutes of action, the Chargers looked like the better technical team, controlling the possession of the ball, and creating several quality opportunities at goal.
As the opening half progressed, the Bulldog defense tightened up, and the offense began to connect a few more passes in the midfield, giving the strikers up top a few more opportunities. In the 36th minute, Lucas Williams (So. London, Eng.), drove a ball over the Charger defense and Jurgen Granda-Palma (Fr. Quayaquil, Ecu.) collected it and slotted it past the Charger keeper to put the Bulldogs up 1-0.
Leading 1-0 at the intermission, the Bulldogs kept the pressure on in the second frame. Eleven minutes into the half, Rodrigo De Castro (Sr. Rio de Janiero, Bra.) scored to put the Bulldogs up 2-0, assisted by Carlos Reyna (Sr. Hutchinson, Kan.).
A two goal advantage in soccer can be one of the most dangerous leads. If the team with the advantage relaxes at all their opponents can get right back in the game quickly. The Chargers tried to make things interesting down the stretch. They cut the Bulldog lead in half with under eight minutes left in regulation on a nice header goal. The Chargers continued to press in the final minutes of regulation, but the Bulldog defense was able thwart all attempts at an equalizing goal, escaping with a 2-1 victory.
"That is a good side we beat tonight and it took a collectively effort," said Bulldog head coach Doug Quint. "I felt our work rate for 90 minutes was fantastic. We had to grind! Sure we have a ton of things to improve on but overall what a nice way to start the 2021 campaign."
The Bulldogs get a couple of days of rest before taking the pitch again on Sunday, when they host the Doane University Tigers in a 2:00 pm match up at Paul Family Field.
