'Roos Open WAC Play Against Huskies on Homecoming Saturday
10/4/2013 12:31:00 PM | Men's Soccer
HOUSTON BAPTIST (5-2, 0-0 WAC) at UMKC 'ROOS (1-4-3, 0-0 WAC)
Date / Time: October 5, 2013 - 7:00 p.m.
Site: Kansas City, Mo. / Durwood Soccer Stadium
Webcast: UMKCKangaroos.com (Subscribers)
Live Stats: UMKCKangaroos.com (Free)
Twitter: @TheUMKCRoos
Series: First Meeting
Home: 0-0-0
Away: 0-0-0
Neutral: 0-0-0
Last Meeting: First Meeting
Benben vs. Opponent: First Meeting
The Games
The 'Roos head into conference play for the remainder of the regular season, starting with their Homecoming match against Houston Baptist in the first even WAC game for UMKC men's soccer. The 'Roos are winless in their last three, while the Huskies come in on a four-game win streak.
The Coaches
In his 16th season at UMKC, Rick Benben is the winningest coach in school history, posting a 113-141-32 record. Under his guidance, UMKC has captured four conference 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 in 2012.
Steve Jones is in his eighth season at Houston Baptist, and 19th as a head coach, boasting a 205-190-20 overall record. At HBU he has a 55-57-11 record. He has led the Huskies to their best start since 2007, when they also began the year 5-2.
The Series
This will be the first ever meeting between Houston Baptist and Kansas City. This is also the first ever WAC game for both schools.
Scouting the Competition
HBU won its fourth-straight match with a 2-0 win over Oral Roberts in the Huskies' home opener on Oct. 1. The win marked the Huskies' first shutout on the season and the four straight wins are the most since the 2010 Huskies won five straight.
Tobenna Uzo scored both goals against ORU, bringing his total to a WAC-leading six and seven, good for 14 points. Kyle Herbison is second on the team with two goals and seven points. He leads the team with three assists.
A Win Against HBU Means...
- UMKC would have started 1-0 in conference play for the fourth straight season.
- Kansas City would have won its first ever WAC game, and first ever against Houston Baptist (first meeting).
- The 'Roos would have snapped a three-game winless streak overall.
Up Next
UMKC will hit the road for two games in WAC play against Air Force and Grand Canyon, playing the Falcons on Friday in AFA, Colorado, and the Antelopes on Sunday in Phoenix, Ariz.
The 'Roos are 0-3 against Air Force, dropping decisions in 1996, 2002, and 2009, all away from home. The 'Roos have never faced Grand Canyon.
What They Rank in the WAC
The 'Roos are first in the WAC so far this season with a 1.27 goals against average.
Individually, Kevin Corby leads the WAC in goals against average (0.55) and save percentage (.882), while Chris McGaughey is sixth in GAA (1.79) and fourth in save percentage (.757). Jordan Rideout is third in the conference in shots (27), and his seven shots vs. Wisconsin are the most for any WAC player in a game this year.
