'Roos Head To Oakland For Key Summit League Contest
10/14/2010 10:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
The Setting - The UMKC men's soccer team will play its second straight Summit League road contest on Saturday when it heads to Rochester, Mich., to face Oakland. The 'Roos and Golden Grizzlies will square off at the OU Soccer Field beginning at 11 a.m.
Follow The Action Online - Fans can follow UMKC battle the Golden Grizzlies via GameTracker on the OU website. The link can be found at both UMKCKangaroos.com and OUGrizzlies.com.
Scouting Oakland - The Golden Grizzlies enter Saturday's contest with a 4-7-0 overall and a 1-1-0 Summit League record. OU has won three of its last five matches, beating IPFW (4-0), Dayton (1-0) and Loyola Chicago (1-0).
Makesi Lewis and Johnny Dreshaj are tied for the team lead with two goals apiece on the season. Tom Catalano, meanwhile, is tied with the duo for the team lead in points with four (1 G, 2A). Mitch Hildebrandt has played every minute in goal for Oakland, where he has 57 saves, a 1.54 goals against average and four shutouts.
The Series - The Golden Grizzlies hold an 11-3-3 advantage in the all-time series over UMKC. The 'Roos have won two of the last three meetings, both of which came in The Summit League Tournament. In 2008, UMKC won on penalty kicks, 4-3, in the league title game. Last season, OU won the regular season match-up at DSSRF, 2-1, before the 'Roos won in the tournament semifinal, 2-1.
Last Game - The 'Roos posted their third straight victory when they downed Centenary in Shreveport by the count of 1-0 on Oct. 9. Sophomore Tom Black netted the game-winning goal in the 65th minute, while senior Ken Cooper made two saves en route to his fifth shutout.
Cooper Breaks School Record - Senior Ken Cooper moved into first place in both career saves and minutes played in the 1-0 shutout victory over Eastern Illinois on Oct. 3. The goalkeeper made one save in 90 minutes of action to give him 290 saves and 5,723 minutes in Blue and Gold.
The St. Louis native then moved into the top spot in career shutouts, courtesy of his 1-0 blanking of Centenary. Cooper now has 15 career shutouts, one more than former 'Roo Beau Williams.
'Roos Move Up To Sixth In NSCAA Midwest Region Rankings - UMKC moved up into sixth place in the NSCAA Midwest Region rankings that were released on Oct. 12. The 'Roos were seventh on Oct. 6 and ninth on Sept. 13 and Sept. 20. It is the team's first ranking since the 2008 campaign when it climbed to as high as third in the region before finishing the year ranked sixth.
The UMKC...Uh... Summit League Player of the Week - The Summit League Player of the Week is in jeopardy of changing its name to the UMKC Player of the Week. The 'Roos have earned the league accolade in four of the past five weeks.
Sophomore David Sarabia was the latest UMKC player to earn the accolade, as he received the nod on Oct. 4 after scoring the game-winning strikes in the team's victories over Oral Roberts and Eastern Illinois.
Senior Ken Cooper was the first 'Roo to earn the honor, as he was named the Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 13 after making four saves in 110 minutes of action in the 1-1 draw at Loyola Chicago.
Fellow senior John Bayron Sosa earned the offensive accolade - the second of his 'Roo career - on Sept. 20 after notching a pair of goals in UMKC's 3-2 loss at Drake. Junior Jimmy Simon was the third straight 'Roo to earn the accolade on Sept. 27 following his two goal contest in UMKC's 2-1 win over Memphis.
Home Cookin' - UMKC improved to 5-1 at home this season with its 1-0 shutout victory over Eastern Illinois on Oct. 3. Durwood Soccer Stadium has been a daunting place for the opposition to play since it opened in 2009, as the 'Roos are 9-3 in 12 games at the venue.
Overall, UMKC has been exceptional at home the past three seasons, as it has compiled a 16-3 record over its past 19 home dates.
Black Tallies First Career GWG - Senior Tom Black netted his first career game-winning goal when he hit pay dirt in the 65th minute in the victory at Centenary. Junior Josh Lind sent a corner kick into the box before Black connected for the score.
The Gamewinner - Sophomore David Sarabia scored the game-winning goal in both of UMKC's wins over Oral Roberts and Eastern Illinois on Oct. 1 and Oct. 3. The forward now has five career game-winning strikes, which are the most on the squad.
Harman Leads League In Helpers - Junior Luke Harman is tied for The Summit League with three assists thus far in the 2010 season. The Ireland native tallied his third assist on David Sarabia's game-winning strike against Eastern Illinois.
Offensive Outburst - UMKC scored a season-high four goals in the 4-2 win over Oral Roberts on Oct. 1. The scoring output matches Oakland for the team-high in The Summit League this season. The last time the 'Roos had scored four goals in a single match came last season in the 4-1 win over Centenary on Oct. 24.
Simon Notches Team-Leading Fifth Goal - Junior Jimmy Simon netted his team leading fifth goal of the season in the 4-2 triumph over Oral Roberts on Oct. 1 at DSSRF. The forward scored in the 68th minute on an assist by Tom Black. Simon's five strikes are currently second most in the league this season.
'Roos Atop The Summit - UMKC is currently leading The Summit League with 15 goals, 43 points and 13 assists this season. This continues the team's trend of being the class of the league offensively.
The 'Roos led the league in goals, points and assists in both 2008 and 2009. The squad finished with 38 goals, 34 assists and 110 points in 2008 before following it up with a 31 goal, 24 assist, 86 point campaign in 2009.
Two Is Better - Senior John Bayron Sosa and junior Jimmy Simon both have notched two goal games this season. Sosa netted both of UMKC's strikes in the 3-2 loss at Drake, while Simon scored twice in the 2-1 win over Memphis. The pair is tied for the high water mark in both single game goals and assists this season.
Coop-Tack-ular - Goalkeeper Ken Cooper is off to an outstanding start to his senior season, as he has posted a 0.88 goals against average, 38 saves, a .792 saves percentage and five shutouts through 11 contests. The senior is currently leading The Summit League in goals against average, shutouts and save percentage.
Mr. Shutout - Senior Ken Cooper posted his second straight shutout in leading the 'Roos to a 1-0 win at Centenary on Oct. 9. The performance came on the heels of a 1-0 shutout of Eastern Illinois on Oct. 3.
Cooper, who is pacing the league with five shutouts on the year, also blanked Central Arkansas and Missouri State in back-to-back contests and goose-egged Columbia College earlier this season. The five shutouts are tied for the second most in a single season in school history.
Chasing History - Senior John Bayron Sosa tallied assists in back-to-back contests in leading UMKC to victories over Oral Roberts and Eastern Illinois. The midfielder now has 20 career assists in Blue and Gold, which are 10 behind former 'Roo Dan Hilson for the school record.
Iron Man - Senior John Bayron Sosa has played in and started 68-of-69 total games in his UMKC career. Sosa, who has played every minute for the squad this season, has been among the starting 11 for the 'Roos in each of the past 56 contests.
Cooper Among UMKC Career Leaders - Senior Ken Cooper already ranks as one of the best goalkeepers in UMKC history when you look at his career statistics. The St. Louis native is the school recordholder in three categories, while also ranking among the top-two in two additional categories.
Cooper in the UMKC Top-10
1st Goals Against Average 1.36
1st Saves 292
1st Minutes Played 5813
1st Shutouts 15
2nd Wins 28 (31)
The Countdown To 100 - Head Coach Rick Benben, who is the winningest coach in UMKC history, currently has 97 career victories to his resume. The 13th year head man needs just four victories to reach the 100-win milestone. In his tenure, UMKC has posted four seasons where it has won at least 10 contests.
Markey Sidelined For '10 Season - Senior Chris Markey, who is one of UMKC's co-captains for the 2010 season, suffered a foot injury during the exhibition contest against Drake on Aug. 27. The midfielder broke his foot while going in for a tackle, which will force him to miss the remainder of the 2010 season.
Markey is the second UMKC senior to suffer a serious injury this season. Matt Kopsky, a returning starter and three-year letterwinner, went down with a knee injury prior to the beginning of preseason practice. He too will miss the entire 2010 campaign.
'Roos Tabbed As Preseason Favorites - UMKC was picked as the preseason favorite to claim the 2010 Summit League title. The 'Roos received three first place votes en route to 33 points to edge Oakland by a single point for the top spot.
Sosa Named To MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List - Senior John Bayron Sosa has been named to the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List. The St. Cloud, Fla., native is the first UMKC player to be named to the Watch List and is one of 39 Division I men's soccer players and the lone representative of The Summit League to be recognized.
Considered the highest individual honor in intercollegiate soccer, the recipient of the MAC Hermann Trophy is selected by Division I head coaches who are current members of the NSCAA.
Team Captains - Seniors John Bayron Sosa and Chris Markey have been selected to serve as the team co-captains for the 2010 'Roos.
Back-to-Back OPOY - The 'Roos have not only led the league in scoring in each of the past two seasons, but the squad boasts each of the past two Summit League Offensive Player of the Years. Brian Harris earned the post season recognition in 2008 before Bryan Perez took home the top offensive honor in 2009.
A Look Back To 2009 - The 'Roos posted a 7-10-2 overall record during the 2009 campaign, which included a 2-2-2 mark in Summit League play. UMKC upset top-seeded Oakland in The Summit League Championship semifinals to advance to the final for the third time in the last four years before dropping a 1-0 decision to Western Illinois.
UMKC had a total of six student-athletes earn post season recognition in 2009 with two players - Bryan Perez and David Sarabia - earning individual honors. Perez was named The Summit League Offensive Player of the Year, while Sarabia was named The Summit League Newcomer of the Year.
The pair were a part of a school record five first team selections, as they were joined on the first team squad by teammates Chris Markey, John Bayron Sosa and John David Hernandez. Additionally, Sarabia and Tom Black were named to the all-Newcomer squad.
Kuster-'Roo - True freshman Sean Kuster is the third member of his immediate family to play for the UMKC men's soccer team. Brother, Erik, played for the 'Roos during the 1999 season, where he netted nine goals, while Colin suited up for the program during the 2007 campaign.
Giant Killers - The 'Roos have been making a name for themselves in scheduling and beating ranked foes. UMKC has taken down a ranked opponent in each of the past two seasons, shutting out No. 23 Drake, 3-0, in 2009 after beating No. 3 Creighton (1-0) and No. 19 Drake (4-3) during the 2008 campaign.
Championship Soccer - UMKC earned its third NCAA Tournament appearance in 2008 after winning The Summit League Tournament as the No. 3 seed. The 'Roos, who have played in championship game of the league tournament in three of the last four years, have won three Summit League regular season titles (1999, 2001, 2003) and three league tournament crowns (2001, 2003, 2008), all of which led to NCAA Tournament appearances.
Follow The Action Online - Fans can follow UMKC battle the Golden Grizzlies via GameTracker on the OU website. The link can be found at both UMKCKangaroos.com and OUGrizzlies.com.
Scouting Oakland - The Golden Grizzlies enter Saturday's contest with a 4-7-0 overall and a 1-1-0 Summit League record. OU has won three of its last five matches, beating IPFW (4-0), Dayton (1-0) and Loyola Chicago (1-0).
Makesi Lewis and Johnny Dreshaj are tied for the team lead with two goals apiece on the season. Tom Catalano, meanwhile, is tied with the duo for the team lead in points with four (1 G, 2A). Mitch Hildebrandt has played every minute in goal for Oakland, where he has 57 saves, a 1.54 goals against average and four shutouts.
The Series - The Golden Grizzlies hold an 11-3-3 advantage in the all-time series over UMKC. The 'Roos have won two of the last three meetings, both of which came in The Summit League Tournament. In 2008, UMKC won on penalty kicks, 4-3, in the league title game. Last season, OU won the regular season match-up at DSSRF, 2-1, before the 'Roos won in the tournament semifinal, 2-1.
Last Game - The 'Roos posted their third straight victory when they downed Centenary in Shreveport by the count of 1-0 on Oct. 9. Sophomore Tom Black netted the game-winning goal in the 65th minute, while senior Ken Cooper made two saves en route to his fifth shutout.
Cooper Breaks School Record - Senior Ken Cooper moved into first place in both career saves and minutes played in the 1-0 shutout victory over Eastern Illinois on Oct. 3. The goalkeeper made one save in 90 minutes of action to give him 290 saves and 5,723 minutes in Blue and Gold.
The St. Louis native then moved into the top spot in career shutouts, courtesy of his 1-0 blanking of Centenary. Cooper now has 15 career shutouts, one more than former 'Roo Beau Williams.
'Roos Move Up To Sixth In NSCAA Midwest Region Rankings - UMKC moved up into sixth place in the NSCAA Midwest Region rankings that were released on Oct. 12. The 'Roos were seventh on Oct. 6 and ninth on Sept. 13 and Sept. 20. It is the team's first ranking since the 2008 campaign when it climbed to as high as third in the region before finishing the year ranked sixth.
The UMKC...Uh... Summit League Player of the Week - The Summit League Player of the Week is in jeopardy of changing its name to the UMKC Player of the Week. The 'Roos have earned the league accolade in four of the past five weeks.
Sophomore David Sarabia was the latest UMKC player to earn the accolade, as he received the nod on Oct. 4 after scoring the game-winning strikes in the team's victories over Oral Roberts and Eastern Illinois.
Senior Ken Cooper was the first 'Roo to earn the honor, as he was named the Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 13 after making four saves in 110 minutes of action in the 1-1 draw at Loyola Chicago.
Fellow senior John Bayron Sosa earned the offensive accolade - the second of his 'Roo career - on Sept. 20 after notching a pair of goals in UMKC's 3-2 loss at Drake. Junior Jimmy Simon was the third straight 'Roo to earn the accolade on Sept. 27 following his two goal contest in UMKC's 2-1 win over Memphis.
Home Cookin' - UMKC improved to 5-1 at home this season with its 1-0 shutout victory over Eastern Illinois on Oct. 3. Durwood Soccer Stadium has been a daunting place for the opposition to play since it opened in 2009, as the 'Roos are 9-3 in 12 games at the venue.
Overall, UMKC has been exceptional at home the past three seasons, as it has compiled a 16-3 record over its past 19 home dates.
Black Tallies First Career GWG - Senior Tom Black netted his first career game-winning goal when he hit pay dirt in the 65th minute in the victory at Centenary. Junior Josh Lind sent a corner kick into the box before Black connected for the score.
The Gamewinner - Sophomore David Sarabia scored the game-winning goal in both of UMKC's wins over Oral Roberts and Eastern Illinois on Oct. 1 and Oct. 3. The forward now has five career game-winning strikes, which are the most on the squad.
Harman Leads League In Helpers - Junior Luke Harman is tied for The Summit League with three assists thus far in the 2010 season. The Ireland native tallied his third assist on David Sarabia's game-winning strike against Eastern Illinois.
Offensive Outburst - UMKC scored a season-high four goals in the 4-2 win over Oral Roberts on Oct. 1. The scoring output matches Oakland for the team-high in The Summit League this season. The last time the 'Roos had scored four goals in a single match came last season in the 4-1 win over Centenary on Oct. 24.
Simon Notches Team-Leading Fifth Goal - Junior Jimmy Simon netted his team leading fifth goal of the season in the 4-2 triumph over Oral Roberts on Oct. 1 at DSSRF. The forward scored in the 68th minute on an assist by Tom Black. Simon's five strikes are currently second most in the league this season.
'Roos Atop The Summit - UMKC is currently leading The Summit League with 15 goals, 43 points and 13 assists this season. This continues the team's trend of being the class of the league offensively.
The 'Roos led the league in goals, points and assists in both 2008 and 2009. The squad finished with 38 goals, 34 assists and 110 points in 2008 before following it up with a 31 goal, 24 assist, 86 point campaign in 2009.
Two Is Better - Senior John Bayron Sosa and junior Jimmy Simon both have notched two goal games this season. Sosa netted both of UMKC's strikes in the 3-2 loss at Drake, while Simon scored twice in the 2-1 win over Memphis. The pair is tied for the high water mark in both single game goals and assists this season.
Coop-Tack-ular - Goalkeeper Ken Cooper is off to an outstanding start to his senior season, as he has posted a 0.88 goals against average, 38 saves, a .792 saves percentage and five shutouts through 11 contests. The senior is currently leading The Summit League in goals against average, shutouts and save percentage.
Mr. Shutout - Senior Ken Cooper posted his second straight shutout in leading the 'Roos to a 1-0 win at Centenary on Oct. 9. The performance came on the heels of a 1-0 shutout of Eastern Illinois on Oct. 3.
Cooper, who is pacing the league with five shutouts on the year, also blanked Central Arkansas and Missouri State in back-to-back contests and goose-egged Columbia College earlier this season. The five shutouts are tied for the second most in a single season in school history.
Chasing History - Senior John Bayron Sosa tallied assists in back-to-back contests in leading UMKC to victories over Oral Roberts and Eastern Illinois. The midfielder now has 20 career assists in Blue and Gold, which are 10 behind former 'Roo Dan Hilson for the school record.
Iron Man - Senior John Bayron Sosa has played in and started 68-of-69 total games in his UMKC career. Sosa, who has played every minute for the squad this season, has been among the starting 11 for the 'Roos in each of the past 56 contests.
Cooper Among UMKC Career Leaders - Senior Ken Cooper already ranks as one of the best goalkeepers in UMKC history when you look at his career statistics. The St. Louis native is the school recordholder in three categories, while also ranking among the top-two in two additional categories.
Cooper in the UMKC Top-10
1st Goals Against Average 1.36
1st Saves 292
1st Minutes Played 5813
1st Shutouts 15
2nd Wins 28 (31)
The Countdown To 100 - Head Coach Rick Benben, who is the winningest coach in UMKC history, currently has 97 career victories to his resume. The 13th year head man needs just four victories to reach the 100-win milestone. In his tenure, UMKC has posted four seasons where it has won at least 10 contests.
Markey Sidelined For '10 Season - Senior Chris Markey, who is one of UMKC's co-captains for the 2010 season, suffered a foot injury during the exhibition contest against Drake on Aug. 27. The midfielder broke his foot while going in for a tackle, which will force him to miss the remainder of the 2010 season.
Markey is the second UMKC senior to suffer a serious injury this season. Matt Kopsky, a returning starter and three-year letterwinner, went down with a knee injury prior to the beginning of preseason practice. He too will miss the entire 2010 campaign.
'Roos Tabbed As Preseason Favorites - UMKC was picked as the preseason favorite to claim the 2010 Summit League title. The 'Roos received three first place votes en route to 33 points to edge Oakland by a single point for the top spot.
Sosa Named To MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List - Senior John Bayron Sosa has been named to the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List. The St. Cloud, Fla., native is the first UMKC player to be named to the Watch List and is one of 39 Division I men's soccer players and the lone representative of The Summit League to be recognized.
Considered the highest individual honor in intercollegiate soccer, the recipient of the MAC Hermann Trophy is selected by Division I head coaches who are current members of the NSCAA.
Team Captains - Seniors John Bayron Sosa and Chris Markey have been selected to serve as the team co-captains for the 2010 'Roos.
Back-to-Back OPOY - The 'Roos have not only led the league in scoring in each of the past two seasons, but the squad boasts each of the past two Summit League Offensive Player of the Years. Brian Harris earned the post season recognition in 2008 before Bryan Perez took home the top offensive honor in 2009.
A Look Back To 2009 - The 'Roos posted a 7-10-2 overall record during the 2009 campaign, which included a 2-2-2 mark in Summit League play. UMKC upset top-seeded Oakland in The Summit League Championship semifinals to advance to the final for the third time in the last four years before dropping a 1-0 decision to Western Illinois.
UMKC had a total of six student-athletes earn post season recognition in 2009 with two players - Bryan Perez and David Sarabia - earning individual honors. Perez was named The Summit League Offensive Player of the Year, while Sarabia was named The Summit League Newcomer of the Year.
The pair were a part of a school record five first team selections, as they were joined on the first team squad by teammates Chris Markey, John Bayron Sosa and John David Hernandez. Additionally, Sarabia and Tom Black were named to the all-Newcomer squad.
Kuster-'Roo - True freshman Sean Kuster is the third member of his immediate family to play for the UMKC men's soccer team. Brother, Erik, played for the 'Roos during the 1999 season, where he netted nine goals, while Colin suited up for the program during the 2007 campaign.
Giant Killers - The 'Roos have been making a name for themselves in scheduling and beating ranked foes. UMKC has taken down a ranked opponent in each of the past two seasons, shutting out No. 23 Drake, 3-0, in 2009 after beating No. 3 Creighton (1-0) and No. 19 Drake (4-3) during the 2008 campaign.
Championship Soccer - UMKC earned its third NCAA Tournament appearance in 2008 after winning The Summit League Tournament as the No. 3 seed. The 'Roos, who have played in championship game of the league tournament in three of the last four years, have won three Summit League regular season titles (1999, 2001, 2003) and three league tournament crowns (2001, 2003, 2008), all of which led to NCAA Tournament appearances.
Players Mentioned
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