Kansas City
Houston Baptist
Houston Baptist Defeats UMKC in Regular Season Finale, 4-1
11/9/2013 11:41:00 PM | Men's Soccer
(Houston, Texas) – The Huskies of Houston Baptist took control early and coasted to a 4-1 win over Kansas City in the men's soccer regular season finale Saturday night. The 'Roos know now they will be the No. 7 seed in the WAC Tournament, starting on Thursday at Air Force in Colorado.
Kansas City (4-10-4, 3-6-1 WAC) fell behind early in the contest to the Huskies (9-6-2, 4-4-2 WAC), giving up a goal in the 10th minute by Kristopher Tyrpak, followed by another just 53 seconds later by Stefan Lamanna to make it 2-0.
The 'Roos, knowing their only chance to make the NCAA Tournament is by winning the WAC Tournament, sat some key players that were just under the yellow card limit and nursing injuries in order to have them ready for Thursday.
Houston Baptist took advantage on their senior day, scoring once more in the 27th minute, again by Tyrpak to make it 3-0. It would take that lead and a 10-3 shot advantage into the half.
The second stanza was much closer, but Houston Baptist sealed the win in the 52nd minute when Tyrpak crossed a ball to Tobenna Uzo for header finish and a 4-0 lead. Kansas City came back seconds later when senior Zach Balthazar scored his first goal of the season, but it would be the match's last goal.
The Huskies finished the match with a 19-10 shot advantage, while junior goalkeeper Chris McGaughey tallied three saves in the first half and senior Kevin Corby made one save in the second as they split the playing time right down the middle.
The 'Roos will face No. 2 seed Bakersfield on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. CT/3:00 p.m. MT in the WAC Men's Soccer Tournament quarterfinals at the United States Air Force Academy.
