'Roos Playing for Regular Season Title Saturday at Western Illinois
11/2/2012 5:06:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Western Ill. Leathernecks (4-8-4, 2-2-2 SL)
Saturday, Nov. 3 - 1:00 pm
Macomb, Ill. * MacKenzie Alumni Field
Live Stats: GoLeathernecks.com
The Game:
The 'Roos will head to Macomb this Saturday with a chance to take at least a share of the Summit League Regular Season title when they battle Western Illinois at 1:00 p.m. Kansas City is tied atop the standings with Oakland, who also plays on Saturday, and can clinch a share of the trophy with a win. WIU is fighting for a spot in the Summit League Tournament, and must win to guarantee that, although it could still get in with help from others without the victory.
The Coaches
In his 15th season at UMKC, Rick Benben is the winningest coach in school history, posting a 112-135-29 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.
Eric Johnson is in his 21st season with Western Illinois, posting a 133-147-41 record there, and a overall record of 176-200-34. Last year he led the Leathernecks to the Summit League regular season and tournament titles, as well as a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
The Series
It will be the 31st meeting with the Leathernecks, with WIU holding a 16-12-2 overall advantage. Last season they knocked off the 'Roos 3-2 in double OT in Kansas City. Overall, UMKC has lost its last three games against WIU, last winning in 2009, 1-0.
The 'Roos are 3-9 on the road against Western Illinois, and have lost seven straight contests in Macomb. The last win for UMKC there came in 1997 by a 5-0 score.
Benben has a 6-11-2 overall mark against WIU, while Johnson is 11-8-2 vs. UMKC.
Scouting the Competition
The Leathernecks of Western Illinois are 4-8-4 overall this season, with a 2-2-2 league record. They are currently in fourth, and need to win to guarantee a spot in the Summit League Championships next week, being hosted on their home field.
They are paced by Nathan Bruinsma, who leads the squad with four goals and 37 shots. Charlie Bales leads the team with three assists. The Leathernecks have scored only 12 goals this season, despite 202 shots.
Defensively they have a 1.36 goals against average, with goalkeeper Yves Dietrich making 65 saves and playing every minute.
A Win vs WIU Means...
- Kansas City would have six wins in conference play for the first time ever under Benben, and tied for the most all-time (1997).
- The 'Roos would have won at least a share of the Summit League regular season crown, their second in the last three years.
- Kansas City would have snapped a seven game-road losing streak to the Leathernecks, and a three-game loss streak overall.
Up Next
The 'Roos hit the road to Macomb again as they will play in the opening round of the Summit League Championships on Friday at either 11 am or 2 pm.
The 'Roos will be either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed, which will determine their start time. The No. 2 seed plays the No. 3 seed at 11 am, while the No. 1 seed plays the No. 4 seed at 2 pm.
Tiebreakers
Kansas City is currently tied for first, and can be only the No. 1 or No. 2 seed next week in the conference tournament. If the 'Roos win, they need an Oakland tie or loss vs. EIU to be the No. 1 seed. If the 'Roos tie, they need the Grizzlies to lose to EIU to be the No. 1 seed. If the 'Roos lose, they will be the No. 2 seed.
In The League
The 'Roos have scored 2.0 goals per game in league play to rank second in the conference behind Oakland. Their 1.11 goals against per game in league play is tied for second, also behind Oakland.
Individually Jordan Rideout has five goals in conference play, which leads the league, while Tom Gaus and Tom McCarthy each have three assists in league games, tied for second. Rideout also leads the conference with 11 league points.
Championship Pedigree
The 'Roos, who have played in the championship game of the league tournament in three of the last six years, have won four Summit League regular season titles (1999, 2001, 2003, 2010) and three league tournament crowns (2001, 2003, 2008), all of which led to NCAA Tournament appearances.
The 'Roos have now advanced to the Summit League Conference Tournament in six of the last seven seasons, and in 13 of Benben's 15 seasons as the head coach (2005, 2011 were the only misses).
Overall, UMKC has advanced to 17 Summit League Tournaments.
