Kangaroos Head North To Omaha Set To Take On #3 Creighton
9/12/2008 3:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Game 4
UMKC at Creighton
Saturday, September 13 - 7 p.m.
Omaha, Neb. (Morrison Stadium)
The UMKC men's soccer team is set to face its second consensus top-25 team of the young season, traveling to Omaha, Neb., to take on Creighton on Saturday. The game, set for a 7 p.m. kickoff from Morrison Stadium, finds the Kangaroos looking to upset a Bluejays squad that is ranked no. 3 in the NSCAA/adidas poll and no. 2 by Soccer America, Soccer Times and collegesoccernews.com. Both live stats (free) and live video (fee) will be available for the game, with links and information for both offerings available at www.umkckangaroos.com in the men's soccer schedule section.
About The Bluejays
The Bluejays have started the season on a roll, opening with three wins in three games, striking for nine goals. Bob Warming enters his 14th year as the head man for Creighton and owns a 170-55-27 record at the helm. The team captured its eighth Missouri Valley Conference title in 2007, posting a 12-3-5 overall record and a 4-0-2 conference mark.
Creighton returns seven starters and twelve letterwinners from last year's squad, including senior Andrei Gotsmanov and Seth Sinovic. However, freshmen have made an equally big impact for the team on both sides of the ball. Offensively, freshmen have accounted for three of the nine goals and two of the 11 assists recorded by Creighton - with Ethan Findlay leading the way with two goals - while all three of Creighton's goalkeepers are redshirt freshmen.
Gotsmanov is joined by junior Byron Dacy on the MAC Hermann Trophy preseason watch list for 2008, with this season marking the second straight year that Dacy has been tabbed as a candidate for Division I soccer's equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. Creighton joins seven other schools with two or more candidates on the list.
Last Time Out
Levi Coleman scored his second goal in as many matches to open the scoring for UMKC against his former Florida International teammates, but the Panthers would strike twice before the break to take a 2-1 lead. Garret Guthrie brought UMKC back on level terms in the second half courtesy of a great cross from Miguel Rodrigues, but neither team was able to separate in the overtime periods as the match ended 2-2.
Friends For Brandon
Throughout the 2008 season, the UMKC men's soccer team will be playing for a bit of a higher calling, as redshirt freshman Brandon Nilsson was diagnosed with cancer in July. His family has created a website through Caring Bridge (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/BrandonNilsson) as well as a Facebook group (Friends For Brandon) so that his friends and the community can keep in touch.
To help support his family, the Kangaroos will host a pair of fundraisers on October 19. Through the hard work of the UMKC Softball team, the Friends For Brandon Wiffle Ball Tournament and Walk-a-Thon will be held on the Swinney Recreation Center soccer field. Registration and details will be announced in the coming weeks.
A New Look For The Roos
At the end of the 2007-08 school year, UMKC Athletics and Kansas City, Mo.. advertising firm Bernstein-Rein began work on transforming one of the most unique mascots in college sports. Two options were presented to the community, drawing 2,200 votes. On May 6, 2008, the new set of marks was unveiled.
The new identity encapsulates a strong competitive nature and fierce attitude. The Roo icon and typography establish a sense of motion and direction, with the kangaroo in one if its most iconic poses - side-on in full stride. Its eyes are focused with a snarl adding to its aggressive attitude.
The colors draw inspiration from the classic blue and gold of UMKC, with an addition of black to create a bolder presence. The iconography draws inspiration from UMKC's position as a part of a growing urban community.
As a result, the Kangaroos will debut three new kits this season, with the primary strip set to make its entrance in Saturday's match at Creighton.
Around The Summit League
IPFW was the only league team in action during the midweek, dropping a tough 2-1 double-overtime result at Wright State. After starting the week's slate, the Mastodons are idle until Sunday, when they host Division I newcomer SIU-Edwardsville.
All four of the seven league teams that are in action on Friday are in tournament action. Centenary and Western Illinois are set to duel the tournament hosts, while Oral Roberts and Oakland are locked in neutral site battles.
Centenary and Oakland each have a quick turnaround, joining UMKC in action on Saturday. Oral Roberts and Western Illinois each close out tournament play on Sunday, with IUPUI also on the docket with a match at Louisville.
At The Summit Of The Summit
UMKC continues to lead the league in corner kicks earned, averaging 4.5 per game, with Western Illinois nipping at the Kangaroos' heels with 4.25/gm. The Blue-and-Gold are also tied with Oakland for the most goals scored on the 2008 campaign - with nine - and sit one point off the Golden Grizzlies' pace in points with 24. Goalkeeping is also a strong suit for the Kangaroos, as they are tied with IUPUI for the league saves lead with 25.
Individually, Bryan Perez is tied for the league goalscoring lead with Oakland's Sebastian Harris and Western Illinois' Martin Browne, Jr., with three. Levi Coleman, Brian Harris and Garret Guthrie all sit in a logjam in fourth with two goals apiece.
Tops In The Association
After making a mark last season, sophomore goalkeeper Ken Cooper returned to the national rankings quickly this season, as he is ranked 29th among all Division I goalkeepers with 5.67 saves per game. His 2007 mark of 4.21 sv/gm wass good for 65th among Division I goalkeepers, with Frederick Hall of Quinnipiac recording the top mark of 7.38 sv/gm.
As a team, UMKC is ranked 26th in the nation in goals per game, averaging 2.25 goals per contest. Charlotte and Dartmouth are tied for the Division I lead with a torrid pace of 5 goals per match.
On The Offensive
Although the Kangaroos offensive output of 27 goals through 19 games last season, this season's pace gives the Blue-and-Gold a chance to blow past last season's numbers in just 12 games this season.
UMKC returns four of the five leading scorers from last season. Bryan Perez led the Kangaroos with six goals last season, with Garret Guthrie and John Bayron Sosa each tallying four. Brian Harris struck net three times last season, including the only goal surrendered by Summit League champs Oakland in league play.
Harris Named Summit League Player Of The Week
Brian Harris became the second UMKC player in as many seasons to earn the first weekly accolades of the season, picking up his first career Player of the Week nod with a pair of goals in the first week's action. The Edwardsville, Ill., native notched the go-ahead goal in the Kangaroos' near upset of UIC in the regular-season opener and scored the equalizer against Eastern Illinois.
No Stand Alones Here
So far on the short season, UMKC's offense has run in streaks. Through four games, no goalscorer has been held to a one-game streak. Bryan Perez notched the longest goalscoring streak of the season, with goals in three consecutive games to open the season, with Brian Harris recording a two-game stretch of his own. Levi Coleman and Garret Guthrie both carry active two-game streaks into Saturday's match at Creighton.
Slow Starters
Through the first three games - and until it was pointed out in this space - the Kangaroos took a bit of time in each match to make their first acquaintance with the net, scoring eight of their nine goals on the season in the second half. Prior to FIU, only Eastern Illinois had scored on the Kangaroos prior to the halftime whistle.
I (Don't) Like Ike
Although the Kangaroos were lucky to avoid Hurricane Hanna during their recent trip to Florida, the weather patterns being foisted upon the midwest by Hurricane Ike are dumping lots of rain on both Kansas City and Omaha. Although the forecast doesnt' show rain at game time, the field conditions could be less than optimal due to the extended soaking.
Benben To Be Inducted Into SIU-Edwardsville Athletics Hall Of Fame
Long-time fans of Kangaroo soccer may notice a slight outlier in the 2008 schedule, as UMKC's contest against Central Arkansas starts an hour earlier than the traditional 1 p.m. start time for Saturday matches. The game was pushed up to afford UMKC head coach Rick Benben an opportunity to pull double duty on the weekend, as he will be inducted into the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Athletics Hall of Fame on October 18. Benben will hit the road immediately following the match for the induction ceremony.
A standout player and coach for the Cougars, Benben picked up national championships as both a player and coach, in 1972 and 1979 respectively.
Ironman Squad
Garret Guthrie has been one of the ironmen for the Kangaroos, having played in every single game during his UMKC career. The Wichita, Kan., native has seen time in 59 matches for the Blue-and-Gold, starting 38, and needs just 10 games to sit among the top 10 in program history. Also among the Kangaroo ironmen are senior transfer Miguel Rodrigues and junior Bryan Perez, each with 43 games under his belt. Perez has been in the starting XI for each of his 43 appearances, with Rodrigues missing just one start as a sophomore.
Kangaroos Tabbed Fourth In Preseason Summit League Coaches Poll
The UMKC men's soccer team was picked to finish fourth in The Summit League during the coaches preseason poll. The Kangaroos garnered one of the seven available first-place votes, earning 23 points. 2007 champion Oakland was tabbed the early favorite with five first-place nods and 35 total points. The poll mirrored the final league table from the 2007 season, with IUPUI picking up the seventh first-place vote and second place overall and Oral Roberts taking third. Western Illinois, Centenary and IPFW rounded out the rankings.
2008 Media Guide Available
The 2008 UMKC men's soccer media guide is now available. The guide features detailed player bios and history of the Kangaroo program along with opponent capsules for the upcoming season. An electronic version of the guide is available online at www.umkckangaroos.com, with print versions also available. For more information or to request a copy of the media guide, contact the UMKC Sports Information Office.
Busy Summer
Many members of the UMKC men's soccer team were busy during the summer. Several players spent time with clubs in the PDL, with players also serving as camp counselors for UMKC's residential camps.
To close out the summer, senior Miguel Rodrigues and juniors Levi Coleman, Ricardo Guerra and Bryan Perez took part in the Mayor's Night Kicks tournament, a six-week event sponsored by the Kansas City Wizards and the City of Kansas City. Coleman ran away with the golden boot in the competition, netting 11 goals in three games during group play - the next highest total was six. The squad swept through group play, and although the college players had to bow out due to commitments to UMKC's preseason training, the four Kangaroos still received medals as the Taqueria Mexico squad finished third in the tournament.
Between The Pipes
After suffering a slight knock in the 2007 preseason, freshman Ken Cooper recovered to become the first-choice goalkeeper for the Kangaroos, making a quick mark on the UMKC record books in just half a season. The netminder makes three appearances on the career top-10 lists, entering the 2008 season with a 1.65 goals-against average (3rd overall), four wins (8th - t) and two shutouts (7th - t). He also posted the ninth-highest single-season minutes played mark with 1,311 minutes in 14 games.
Looking Forward
The UMKC soccer program took a giant step forward in April 2008, with the announcement of the largest-ever single gift to UMKC Athletics. A $5 million pledge from the the Stanley H. Durwood Foundation and its trustees Raymond F. Beagle, Jr. and Charles J. Egan is set to fund the construction of a new soccer stadium in the heart of UMKC's Volker campus.
The competition venue of the Stanley H. Durwood Stadium is anticipated to be complete in time for the first game of the 2009 season, as the Kangaroos add women's soccer to the mix. The entire complex - including locker room facilities for men's and women's soccer, softball, and men's and women's track and field - is expected to be completed by the spring of 2010.
Stan Durwood was one of the University's and the athletic program's most ardent supporters. His affiliation with UMKC began when NCAA Division I participation was a pipe dream. Durwood's enthusiasm for UMKC Athletics continued through admission into Division I and the Mid-Continent Conference. In 1994, he was awarded the Chancellor's Medal, the highest non-academic honor the University can bestow upon a community member.
Giving Back
One of the hallmarks of head coach Rick Benben's tenure has been a dedication to giving back to the community. In addition to the team's work with the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department, several players took time out of their summer schedule to put on a demonstration at Spectrum Station.
Giving Back Again
UMKC men's soccer team captain Miguel Rodrigues was invited to speak at the Pembroke Hill School during the first week of classes. The senior spoke briefly about his views on the characteristics of leadership - both on and off of the soccer field - and answered questions about his experiences. The appearance was part of an annual tradition at Pembroke Hill, with Raiders head soccer coach Matt Pritchett inviting speakers from the community to address students at the beginning of each school year.
Road Warriors
In anticipation of the opening of the Stanley H. Durwood Stadium for the 2009 season, the Kangaroos have become a bit of a nomadic bunch for the opening of the 2008 season. UMKC will play its first seven matches away from Kansas City and 10 matches total away from home. The Kangaroos will be rewarded, however, as the seven home matches on the slate are grouped together, with UMKC opening its Summit League slate against IPFW in the first of a three-game home stand, and closing out with a four-game home stand in October.
Showing Some Class
The Kangaroos have two nominees for the Lowe's Senior CLASS award - Garret Guthrie and Miguel Rodrigues. The Senior CLASS Award was first created in 2001 as an acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School. This unique award is designed to honor the attributes of seniors who remain committed to their university and elect to pursue the many rewards that a senior season can bring.
Guthrie and Rodrigues are both solid performers on and off the field, with Guthrie serving as a lab instructor for the UMKC Summer Scholars program and Rodrigues serving as head clinician for the FCA Multi-Sports camp in Albion, Mich. during the summer of 2008. Candidates will be judged on four criteria - Classroom, Character, Community and Competition - with the winner to be recognized at the 2008 NCAA College Cup Final.
On The Spot
UMKC stretched its penalty streak to 14 consecutive makes - dating back to the 2003 season - with Bryan Perez' strike against UIC. Although UMKC missed a penalty against William Jewell, its streak is still intact as the game was an exhibition contest. The Kangaroos have been deadly accurate from the penalty mark, with the streak of consecutive makes stretching to 20 when shootouts in postseason play are included.
UMKC has also never been bested in a penalty shootout in the league tournament - defeating Oakland 4-3 en route to the 2001 Mid-Con Tournament title, downing Western Illinois by a 3-0 count in 2003 and advancing past Oral Roberts by a 4-2 scoreline in 2006.
Live Stats Available
With a new partnership with AT&T, UMKC will be broadcasting live stats from every home match during the 2008 season. Several of UMKC's road matches will also have live stats feeds available, with links from the men's soccer schedule page at www.umkckangaroos.com keeping fans far away in touch with the action.
Roo Vision Coming Soon
Also in the works for the 2008 season is a highlight package and on-demand video for Kangaroo home games and select road matches. Through an agreement with Mark Titus Productions, fans will be able to watch highlight packages and full-length match videos following each home game. Check with www.umkckangaroos.com for more details in the coming weeks.
Finding True North
UMKC sets its sights once again on The Summit League Championship, looking to stretch its league lead with a 13th appearance in the postseason tournament. The Blue-and-Gold have qualified for postseason action in 12 of their 13 years as a member of the Mid-Continent Conference/The Summit League. The Kangaroos were the first team to capture a league double, grabbing the regular season title and tournament championship in both 2001 and 2003.
Amazingly, the Kangaroos were not the top seed in either double season, as they lost seeding tiebreakers in both 2001 and 2003. UMKC qualified as the top seed in the Western Division in 1998, although they fell to Howard in the championship match.
These Go To Eleven
Proving that familiarity doesn't always breed contempt, head coach Rick Benben and assistant coach Fred Schlichting both enter their 11th season at UMKC. Benben, the longest-tenured coach at UMKC has been a fixture in Kansas City soccer for several years, formerly serving as the head coach of the MISL Kansas City Comets. Schlichting has also made a name in the Kansas City coaching ranks, named the KSYSA Boys Coach of the Year in 2005 and leading the St. Teresa's Academy varsity team to a Missouri State championship appearance in 1998.
