'Roos Set for Homecoming Battle with Golden Eagles
10/5/2012 10:59:00 AM | Men's Soccer
at Kansas City Kangaroos (4-4-2, 2-0 SL)
Saturday, October 6 - 7:00 pm (Homecoming)
Kansas City, Mo. * Durwood Soccer Stadium
Live Stats/Webcast: UMKCKangaroos.com (T.J. Jackson, play-by-play)
Homecoming Activities:
For a Full Schedule of Events, click here.
Friday night is the Classic 'Roo Reception from 5:30-7:00 pm at Miller Nichols Library. Athletics Director Tim Hall, women's basketball player Kim Nezianya, and Kasey the Kangaroo will all take part in a fashion show for the Alumni Association event.
On Saturday morning from 11-1 is a free soccer clinic at Durwood Stadium for youth grades 1-8. Pre-register online here or at 10:30 am in person. Each registrant gets a free ticket to the 'Roo men's game at 7 pm, as well as a ticket to the UMKC women's soccer game against Omaha at 1 pm on Sunday.
The Game:
The 'Roos stay in conference play when Oral Roberts comes to town for a contest at Durwood Soccer Stadium at 7:00 p.m. for Homecoming at UMKC. The 'Roos are unbeaten in their last five games, and have won their last three. The Golden Eagles put up an impressive performance against IPFW in their last outing, winning 5-1 and evening their league record.
The Coaches
In his 15th season at UMKC, Rick Benben is the winningest coach in school history, posting a 109-131-29 record. Under his guidance, UMKC has captured four Summit League regular season titles and has made three appearances in the NCAA College Cup with the most recent appearance coming in 2008. Benben, the fourth head coach in the Division I era, was inducted into the UMKC Athletics Hall of Fame this past year.
Steve Hayes is in his 15th season with Oral Roberts, and has a 104-132-23 overall record. He has led the Golden Eagles to three regular season titles and one NCAA Tournament berth.
The Series
It will be the 27th meeting with Oral Roberts in the overall series, tied 11-11-4. It is the second-most played series UMKC has, playing WIU 30 times. The two teams tied 1-1 last year at ORU, shortened due to lightning.
At home, the 'Roos are 7-4 against ORU. The 'Roos have not lost to the Golden Eagles since 2007, and are 2-0-3 against them in the last five meetings. Benben is 7-7-4 vs. ORU, while Hayes is 7-7-4 vs. UMKC.
Scouting the Competition
The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles come in with a 2-8 overall record, and are 1-1 in league play. They fell to Oakland 5-0 before knocking off Fort Wayne 5-1.
The Golden Eagles have allowed 28 goals (2.77 GAA) so far this season, and have scored 10 times (0.99 GAA). They are paced on offense by Craig Rogers with three goals, while Tom Adams and Cody Lofgren each have a pair of scores. The leading assist man is Gerardo Salas with four. They have been out-shot 180-98 this season.
A Win vs ORU Means...
- Kansas City would have extended its unbeaten streak against ORU to six games.
- The 'Roos would have four consecutive home wins over the Golden Eagles, last losing in 2004.
- UMKC would have extended its unbeaten streak to six games, and be 3-0 in Summit League play for the first time since 2003.
- Kansas City would have won four consecutive games for the first time since 2008, two short of the 1999 school record.
Summit League Starts
The 'Roos have been good to start Summit League play during the Benben era, with a streak of six straight years being unbeaten (10-3-1 under Benben) in openers.
They are now 2-0 for only the fifth time under Benben. The 'Roos are shooting to start 3-0 for the third time under Benben, and the first since 2003, joining only the 2001 and 2003 NCAA Tournament teams that have accomplished that during this coaching era.
The longest winning streak to start conference play was in 1997 at five games.
In the League
Individually, Jordan Rideout ranks tied for third in the league in goals (3), while ranking tied for second in shots (25). Ashley Reece is tied for third in assists (4) as well.
Up Next
The 'Roos continue the home stand with a non-conference match-up with Drake on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m.
It will be the 25th meeting between the two schools with a 16-6-2 series record in favor of the Bulldogs. Last season the Bulldogs took a 2-1 overtime decision in Des Moines. The 'Roos have won two straight at home in the series.
