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'Roos to Close WAC Slate with Weekend Homestand
10/31/2013 3:24:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BAKERSFIELD ROADRUNNERS (4-12-1, 3-6-1) at KANSAS CITY 'ROOS (9-8-1, 6-4-0)
Date / Time: Nov. 1, 2013 - 4:00 p.m.
Site: Kansas City, Mo. / Durwood Stadium
Webcast: UMKCKangaroos.com (Subscription)
Live Stats: UMKCKangaroos.com (Free)
Twitter: @TheUMKCRoos
Series: Kansas City leads 1-0-0
Cissell vs. Opponent: 1-0-0
UTAH VALLEY WOLVERINES (8-8-1, 6-3-1) at KANSAS CITY 'ROOS (9-8-1, 6-4-0)
Date / Time: Nov. 3, 2013 - 1:30 p.m.
Site: Kansas City, Mo. / Durwood Stadium
Webcast: UMKCKangaroos.com (Subscription)
Live Stats: UMKCKangaroos.com (Free)
Twitter: @TheUMKCRoos
Series: Utah Valley leads 1-0-0
Cissell vs. Opponent: 0-1-0
The Games
The 'Roos will close out the regular season with a pair of home matches versus Bakersfield and Utah Valley on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
Kansas City remains in third place of the WAC standings, just one point back of the Wolverines. Both UVU and UMKC have clinched WAC Tournament berths and will meet for a third time in the semifinals on Friday, Nov. 8.
Bakersfield, ranked fourth by WAC coaches in the preseason, is still in contention for the final tournament spot, but needs to win both weekend matches and receive some help in the form of losses by Grand Canyon and Idaho.
The Coaches
In his third year at helm, head coach Chris Cissell has already led the 'Roos to their best season in program history with nine wins, five shutouts, and six league victories. In his two previous seasons, Cissell compiled a record of 14-17-8; marked success for a program that managed just two victories in its first two seasons.
Cissell, who spent a combined 20 seasons at William Jewell as the head coach for the men's and women's soccer programs, led the Cardinals to a combined record of 282-106-22.
The former Summit League Coach of the Year picked up career win No. 300 in a 3-0 win over New Mexico State on Sept. 20.
Brent Anderson, the longest tenured head coach in program history, began his eighth season at the helm of Utah Valley women's soccer in 2013.
Anderson is the one-and-only recipient of the Great West Conference Coach of the Year award, garnering the honor in each of the four years the GWC was in operation.
In all, Anderson owns a 64-69-7 overall record, including a 28-3-1 mark against GWC competition.
Melissa Phillips began her third season as head women's soccer coach at CSU Bakersfield in 2013, the first for the program in the WAC.
Upon her hire in 2011, at age 23, Phillips was the youngest head coach in Division I.
The Series
The 'Roos lead the series with the Roadrunners 1-0 after a 3-0 win at Bakersfield on Oct. 13.
The victory over Bakersfield came two days after Kansas City dropped a 2-0 decision at Utah Valley, giving the Wolverines a 1-0 series advantage.
Scouting the Competition
Grand Canyon scored in the 57th minute off a direct kick for the lone score of the match, giving the 'Lopes a 1-0 victory over Bakersfield in the team's home finale last weekend.
Bakersfield appeared to take the lead early in the first half on a corner kick from Erica Shelton when the ball found Taylor Jordan whose shot hit the crossbar. The 'Runners netted the rebound but were called off sides on the exchange, nullifying the goal.
Bakersfield outshot GCU 5-2 heading into halftime, but Grand Canyon managed to out shoot the 'Runners 7-3 in the second half en route to placing Bakersfield's postseason hopes in serious jeopardy.
Utah Valley also played a lone match versus the 'Lopes last weekend, cruising to a 3-0 victory on Senior Night in Orem, Utah. Senior forward Natalie Baker scored twice and assisted on a third to help UVU to the win.
UVU is 8-2-1 on the season when scoring first.
Up Next
The 'Roos will head to Las Cruces, N.M. next weekend for the WAC Tournament - the team's second appearance in three seasons under head coach Chris Cissell.
The only remaining question is whether UMKC will be wearing white or blue in its semifinal rematch with Utah Valley.
