Kansas City Returns Home to Face Alabama A&M and Missouri State in Brief Homestand
9/21/2012 2:51:00 PM | Women's Soccer
(Kansas City, Mo.) - After a two-game road swing, the UMKC women's soccer team (2-4-3) returns to Kansas City for a short homestand beginning with the Alabama A&M Bulldogs (0-9) on Saturday (7 p.m.), followed by Missouri State (5-5-1) on Monday (7 p.m.).
The Opponents
» Alabama A&M Bulldogs (0-9, 0-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference as of Sept. 21)
The Bulldogs enter Saturday night's contest searching for their first win of the season.
Through nine games, Alabama A&M has been out-scored, 57-1, with its lone goal recorded by midfielder Ana Huertas in a 6-1 loss to Austin Peay on Sept. 16.
In the net, keepers Marissa Oehler and Linda Aboagye have both seen significant time. Aboagye, who has appeared in nine games, has allowed 34 goals and saved 34 shots, while Oehler has accumulated 30 saves and given up 23 scores in eight appearances.
» The Head Coach: Frank Davies is in his 11th season at Alabama A&M and holds a 79-124 overall record.
» The Series: First meeting.
» Missouri State Bears (5-5-1, 0-0 Missouri Valley Conference as of Sept. 21)
Coming in, the Bears are unbeaten in their last three games, including two-straight 1-0 victories over Summit League foes, Western Illinois (7-2) and North Dakota State (3-6).
Offensively, nine players have scored at least once this season, led by midfielder Michelle Sommer (4). Behind her, forward's Rachel Weimer and Shelby Stewart have three goals under their belts along with an assist. Leading Missouri State in the assist department is forward/defender Molly Brewer with four.
On the defensive end, Nia Williams has been a mainstay at the defender spot, as she earned her first-career conference defensive player of the week award earlier this season. Logging every minute at the keeper spot, Chelsea Voet has allowed 13 goals, saved 46 saves, and compiled five shutouts.
» The Head Coach: Rob Brewer is in his 17th season at the helm for Missouri State. Throughout his tenure, Brewer has gone 158-132-36, including a 12-5-2 overall mark in 2011.
» The Series: The Kangaroos are 0-3 all-time when facing Missouri State. In each meeting, the match has been decided by one goal (1-0, 2-1, 2-1), including two overtime thrillers.
Last Time Out...
Despite tying a team record for most goals scored in a single match, Kansas City suffered a tough 4-3 loss on the road to the Drake Bulldogs (9-2) this past Wednesday night.
During the first minute, Drake took a 1-0 lead when forward Laura Moklestad (2) found a sliding Ashlie Stokes (5) for the goal. Nevertheless, the Kangaroos would answer in the third minute when midfielder Allison Schau (2) capitalized on a penalty kick after being fouled by Drake.
The Bulldogs added to their lead during the 18th minute when forward Generve Charles (4) snuck a shot by keeper Nina Tzianos for the goal. Moklestad (3) was awarded the assist for the second time in Wednesday's match.
Coming out of the locker room after halftime, Drake pushed its lead to two in the 48th minute when Stokes (6) scored her second goal of the evening, assisted by forward Paige Dusek (1) and midfielder Katie Helmlinger (1).
Later, Moklestad (2) tallied a score of her own during the 72nd minute to make it a 4-1 contest, as forward Kaylin Okuma (1) assisted the goal.
However, the Kangaroos did not go down without a fight when forward Ellie Chadick (1) scored after securing the ball in the Bulldogs box during the 74th minute, as midfielder Becky Blinzler (1) was awarded the assist.
Then in the 80th minute with the ball in Drake's territory, forward Hannah Chadick (2) fired a shot that went off the post, but midfielder Hunter Wagoner (1) was there for the rebound and score.
Yet, the Bulldogs were able to hold off the rallying Kangaroos to get their seventh-straight win.
Last Chance
With Wednesday night's loss at Drake, it pushed the Kangaroos record to 0-2-1 in games against members of The Missouri Valley Conference this season.
On Aug. 31, Kansas City allowed two second half goals to fall, 2-1, to the SIUE Cougars, followed by a 1-1 tie with the Creighton Bluejays last week.
The Blue & Gold will get one more shot at knocking off a Missouri Valley foe on Monday when it takes on Missouri State.
Offense Set to Heat Up?
Despite its recent loss to Drake, Kansas City tallied more goals than it did in the previous three games combined.
For the second straight contest, Allison Schau (2) scored as she moved into second behind team leader Taylor Bare (3). As for Hunter Wagoner (5), she is now second in points behind Bare (7) after notching her first goal of the season against Drake. Currently, the Troy, Mo. native leads the Kangaroos in assists with three.
Also, forward Ellie Chadick came away with her first goal score of the season at Drake, while her sister, Hannah, tallied her second assist of 2012.
Bare Looking to Own the Career Assists Crown
After recording her first assist of the season last week at Creighton, Taylor Bare is now tied with midfielder Ashley Gann for the most career assists in team history (6).
Currently, the Anoka, Minn. native is the program's all-time leader in points (34), goals (14), game-winning goals (5), and shots on goal (51).
Through Nine Games Last Season...
Kansas City was 1-5-3 coming off a 3-0 loss at Mizzou on Sept. 18.
Coming Up Next...
The Blue & Gold will begin league play with a road test at Western Illinois on Friday, Sept. 28. Last season, Kansas City defeated the Leathernecks at home, 2-1.
