Kansas City
Oakland
Kangaroos Fall To Oakland 2-1
11/16/2007 5:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Indianapolis, Ind. -- For the second time in as many weeks, UMKC battled back after yielding a first half goal to Oakland, but the Kangaroos couldn't pull off the upset in the first semifinal match of The Summit League Championships, falling 2-1 on the afternoon.
Oakland opened up the game quickly, creating five opportunities within the first 25 minutes. Freshman goalkeeper Ken Cooper came up big for UMKC in the 10th minute and again in the 17th minute, saving two well-placed headers from Oakland attackers.
UMKC nearly struck for the game's first goal in the 22nd minute, but Brian Harris' header off the corner kick went high of the net.
The Golden Grizzlies would find net in the 42nd minute, as Piotr Nowak and Martin Sandell combined on the fast break, with Nowak notching his fourth tally of the year.
The Kangaroos pressed the attack to open the second half, with Richard Harris creating a dangerous chance in the 48th minute. His well-struck shot was parried over the byline by Steve Clark, but the Blue-and-Gold couldn't make anything of the ensuing corner.
Freshman Chris Markey would level the score in the 64th minute, however, finding himself on the end of a free kick by John Bayron Sosa. Markey was able to nod the ball past Clark for his second goal of the season.
UMKC had a pair of chances to take the lead, but Kyle Perkins' effort in the 71st minute was saved, as was Bryan Perez's 73rd-minute strike.
Three minutes later, Oakland would re-take the lead, as John MacKenzie found Stefan St. Louis open in the middle of the penalty area with a cross. Cooper made an effort but the shot was just out of reach.
The Kangaroos were only able to create two chances down the stretch and were unsuccessful on both, as Oakland advanced by a 2-1 scoreline. Both goalkeepers were credited with six saves in the match. UMKC outshot Oakland 8-7 in the second half, although they trailed in the aggregate by a 18-12 margin. The Blue-and-Gold earned eight corner kicks to just four for Oakland, and committed just 12 fouls to 32 for Oakland.
UMKC finishes the season with a record of 7-8-4.
