Kansas City
Central Arkansas
'Roos Offense Comes Alive for 3-2 Win Over Bears
9/26/2012 11:22:00 PM | Men's Soccer
The Kangaroos (3-4-2) moved to 3-1 at home this season, and defeated UCA (6-2) for the third consecutive year. The Bears came into the game with a 3-0 mark against Summit League teams so far this year. It was the first time this season they gave up more than one goal, coming into the contest with a goals against average that ranked No. 12 in the nation at 0.55.
The scoring got started in the 24th minute when sophomore Ashley Reece hit a cross from the right side of the box into the six, where he found senior David Sarabia for a one-touch finish into the far post. It was Sarabia's second goal of the season, while he moved into a tie for seventh all-time in goals (16) and points (40).
UMKC looked as if it was going to go into the half with a 2-0 lead after Reece hit an early cross into the box over the head of a UCA defender, where Jordan Rideout hit a one-time volley for his third goal of the year (10th career goal) with only 42 seconds left. Unfortunately 15 seconds later, the Bears were fouled in the box, and Manuel Montal converted a penalty kick to make it 2-1 at the half.
The 'Roos controlled a little more of the ball, but were out-shot 7-3 in the period. The second half was much of the same, as UMKC had the better scoring chances despite being out-shot. Kansas City goalkeeper Connor Sparrow was forced to make a couple big saves during play in the final half.
Kansas City extended its lead to 3-1 in the 54th minute, when the UCA goalkeeper came out on a long cross to punch it out, but it went out to the top of the half-circle, where junior Tom McCarthy was there for a one-time volley finish over the top of the defense.
UMKC nearly made it a three-goal advantage in the 76th minute when senior Mo Ramahi hit a rocket from 25 out on a break down the left side, but it struck the crossbar, coming inches from being a perfect strike.
The Bears made a game of it in the 78th minute after a corner kick banged around inside the UMKC box, before a 'Roo defender cleared the ball off a teammate and into the back of the net for an own goal.
The contest ended with UCA out-shooting the 'Roos 17-8. It was the highest goal output for Kansas City this season.
The 'Roos jump back into Summit League play on Sunday when they head to Eastern Illinois for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff in Charleston.
