Kansas City
New Mexico State
'Roos Shutout NMSU, Earn First WAC Victory
9/20/2013 11:18:00 PM | Women's Soccer
(Kansas City, Mo.) – The Kansas City women's soccer team scored three times and pitched a shutout in the school's first Western Athletic Conference contest, knocking off the visiting New Mexico State Aggies 3-0.
Emily Herndon got things started early for the 'Roos (4-4-1), banging home a Taylor Bare assist in the game's sixth minute to put UMKC up 1-0. The goal was merely a sign of things to come for Herndon & Co. on this night.
“It was really nice to get a goal early,” said Cissell. “To come out and play well against a really good opponent feels great. It's good for us to start off conference play that way.”
After an Aggie foul, the ever-dangerous Kaely Tott was allowed a set piece opportunity from 35 yards out. Tott smashed a line drive deep into the box, Bare deflected the ball beyond the reach of a diving Jessica Schutter, and Kansas City grabbed a commanding 2-0 lead with just over six minutes to play in the half.
The cherry on top was provided courtesy of junior midfielder Alyssa Elver. At the 58' mark, Elver corralled the ball just inside the 15-yard box, crossed up multiple NMSU defenders, wheeled and fired a sizzling shot just inside the left post to extend the Kangaroo lead to 3-0 -- a lead that would become the largest margin of victory in school history.
“Alyssa's playing kind of how we knew she could,” said Cissell. “When we recruited her and got her here, this is what we expected her to be. She's playing at a really high level right now.”
Goalkeeper Nina Tzianos registered her second shutout of the season, and her first since the 'Roos' season-opening victory over SIUE.
“I think what we're most proud of is the shut out,” said Cissell. “We've been really close in a lot of games, including the most recent game. So I think that was good for the back four, the holding mids, and especially for Nina in goal, to start out the conference season with a shutout. We feel good both offensively and defensively.”
For Cissell, the 'Roos' first WAC victory was also career victory No. 300.
“It's a good feeling,” he said. “I share it with all of the teams and all of the players that I've coached over the years that have helped me get all of these wins. It makes me feel old to think that I have 300 wins.”
Kansas City will now head to Las Cruces, N.M. for a quick rematch with the Aggies.
“The tough part now is having to play the same team again,” said Cissell. “We don't want to get too complacent. Regardless of the score, they're a really good team. Our biggest challenge now is to refocus for Sunday.”
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
