With Its League Tournament Ticket Punched, UMKC Heads to Southern Utah for Regular Season Finale
10/28/2011 4:05:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Saturday at 1:00 P.M., UMKC will close its 2011 regular season campaign at Southern Utah (3-11-3, 0-7 SL).
Scouting the Opponent
Southern Utah Thunderbirds: 3-11-3, (1-7 SL) as of 10/28
In what has been a tough season for the Thunderbirds, Southern Utah posted its first conference win on Thursday against the South Dakota Coyotes. In that game, the Thunderbirds scored a season-high six goals.
Their last win came against Northern Iowa dating all the way back to Aug. 26.
Players to Watch
Offensively, Southern Utah has seven players with at least three goals scored, led by junior forward Stacey Brinkman with six. Junior forward/midfielder Missy Lazcano is second on the team with five.
As for senior midfielder Riley Bassett, she has six assists on the year which is good for second amongst Summit League players.
In the net, Southern Utah has two keepers at their disposal with junior Charly Booth and redshirt-sophomore Breana Fitzgerald.
In 11 games played, nine started, Fitzgerald holds a record of 0-7-2. Statistically, she has given up 22 goals (2.26 goal-average) and accumulated 65 saves (.747). In Week Six, she earned her first career Summit League Defensive Player of the Week award in a relief appearance against Montana.
As for Booth, she has compiled a 2-4-1 record while appearing in 10 games, starting eight. Against her opponents, Booth has given up 19 goals (2.31 goal-average) and saved 26 shots (.578).
She too earned a Summit League Defensive Player of the Week award earlier this season as she helped the Thunderbirds to a pair of wins over Missouri Valley Conference teams in the Mortenson Mountain Classic.
The Head Coach
In his 11th season, Brian Stock has led the Thunderbirds to six conference tournament appearances, coached 16 all-conference athletes, and seen 113 players be named to the academic all-conference squad.
The Series
The 'Roos are 1-1 all-time against the Thunderbirds. Each game has resulted in a 2-0 shutout in favor of the other team.
What to Watch For
'Roos Look to Stay Away From the Injury Bug
So far this season, no member of the 'Roos squad has yet to suffer a significant injury. With The Summit League Tournament beginning Nov. 4, UMKC will look to stay healthy in Saturday's match against Southern Utah.
Bare Back on Track?
Thursday night's goal against Oral Roberts ended a three-game scoreless streak for sophomore forward Taylor Bare. With that score, she not only leads the team in goals (8), but is tied for the league-leader in goals as well.
Finishing Strong
In two regular season finale games, the Kangaroos are winless, losing both matches 2-1. Even with a tournament spot already clinched, UMKC will look to end the season with two consecutive wins heading into next week's league tournament.
