
Kangaroos Score Early, But Split Spoils 2-2 With Northern Illinois
9/14/2007 7:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
DeKalb, Ill. -- The UMKC men's soccer team took an early 2-0 lead in Friday's opening match of the NIU-adidas/Baymont Inn Invitational. The host Huskies, however, fought back to knot the game at two and that's the way the game ended after a pair of overtime periods went scoreless.
Ali Dorri opened the scoring early for the Kangaroos with a free kick. From about 25 yards out, he hit a curling shot into the upper right corner fo the net.
The Kangaroos doubled their lead in the 28th minute, as Bryan Perez hit a hard shot from 20 yards past Huskie netminder Joe Zimka.
Less than a minute later, however, NIU would cut the lead in half. Fraser Gibson collected a rebound in front of the goal and poked it past freshman Ken Cooper, who was making his first start. The Kangaroos then went into the half with the 2-1 lead, although NIU held a 7-3 edge in shots.
Northern Illinois picked up the attacking intensity in the second half, unleashing a barrage of 11 shots towards Cooper. Although only two shots were on frame, it would be enough as NIU's Marcus McCarty equalized with 61:25 gone in the game.
The teams battled out and through 20 extra minutes of overtime, but the game would end in a 2-2 tie. The Blue-and-Gold move to 3-1-1 on the season, with Cooper making four saves to record the decision.
The Kangaroos are back in action on Sunday, facing No. 10 Northwestern. The Wildcats won their tournament opener 3-0 over Butler on Friday, with all three goals coming in the second half.
Ali Dorri opened the scoring early for the Kangaroos with a free kick. From about 25 yards out, he hit a curling shot into the upper right corner fo the net.
The Kangaroos doubled their lead in the 28th minute, as Bryan Perez hit a hard shot from 20 yards past Huskie netminder Joe Zimka.
Less than a minute later, however, NIU would cut the lead in half. Fraser Gibson collected a rebound in front of the goal and poked it past freshman Ken Cooper, who was making his first start. The Kangaroos then went into the half with the 2-1 lead, although NIU held a 7-3 edge in shots.
Northern Illinois picked up the attacking intensity in the second half, unleashing a barrage of 11 shots towards Cooper. Although only two shots were on frame, it would be enough as NIU's Marcus McCarty equalized with 61:25 gone in the game.
The teams battled out and through 20 extra minutes of overtime, but the game would end in a 2-2 tie. The Blue-and-Gold move to 3-1-1 on the season, with Cooper making four saves to record the decision.
The Kangaroos are back in action on Sunday, facing No. 10 Northwestern. The Wildcats won their tournament opener 3-0 over Butler on Friday, with all three goals coming in the second half.
Players Mentioned
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