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?Roos Set to Host WIU, Visit No. 20 Kansas
9/11/2014 4:33:00 PM | Women's Soccer
UMKC 'ROOS (2-2-2) at WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS (1-5)
Date: Sept. 12, 2014Site: Kansas City, Mo. / Durwood Stadium
Live Stats: UMKCKangaroos.com
Live Video: UMKCKangaroos.com
Twitter: @UMKCwSoccer
Series: Western Illinois leads 3-1.
Last Meeting: WIU knocked off then-Summit League foe UMKC 4-1 in Macomb, Ill.
Cissell vs. Opponent: 1-1
UMKC 'ROOS (2-2-2) at #20 KANSAS JAYHAWKS (6-0)
Date: Sept. 14, 2014Site: Lawrence, Kan. / Rock Chalk Park
Live Stats: KUAthletics.com
Live Video: ESPN 3 / WatchESPN.com and Time Warner Sports (Ch. 303)
Twitter: @UMKCwSoccer
Series: N/A
Last Meeting: First meeting.
Cissell vs. Opponent: First meeting.
The Games
Fresh off of a 1-0-1 road trip to Illinois, the UMKC women's soccer team will look to defend its home turf against former Summit League rival Western Illinois, before taking to Interstate 70 for a Sunday afternoon tilt vs. Kansas. The matchup between the 'Roos and Jayhawks will be the first in the programs' history.
The Coaches
Entering his fourth year at the helm, UMKC head coach Chris Cissell is looking to build on the most successful season in program history in 2013. Under Cissell's leadership, the 'Roos set program marks for virtually every win-related category, including overall wins (12) and conference victories (eight), en route to the team's first appearance in the conference title game.
Cissell has compiled a record of 26-26-9 – marked success for a program that won just two games in two seasons prior to his arrival.
Following five successful seasons at Hastings College, 11-year coaching veteran Ted Flogaites took over at Western Illinois as head coach of the women's soccer program in July 2012.
In year two, Western Illinois fell just short of making The Summit League Tournament in 2013 finishing 8-9-2 overall and 3-4 in conference play.
After taking over a program just past its infancy, Mark Francis – now in his 16th season – effectively etched his signature on Kansas soccer by becoming not only the winningest coach in its history, but leading his team to five NCAA Tournaments, 13 Big 12 Championship Tournaments and helping 49 student-athletes garner all-conference accolades, including five that went on to earn All-America status.
Since 1999, Francis has amassed a 163-127-22 record, with 10 seasons of at least 10 victories. He is ranked second among active Big 12 coaches in wins at a single school. He also leads the league among active coaches with his 65 career conference victories.
The Series
The 'Roos will look to move within a game of Western Illinois in the all-time series between the two schools. UMKC and KU will meet for the first time.
Scouting the Competition
Western Illinois will look to right the ship vs. UMKC after a 1-5 start. The Leathernecks have managed just three goals in those six games, including two goals in a 2-0 victory over Northern Illinois. WIU has been shutout in four of its six matches, and those offensive challenges don't figure to be lessened with Nina Tzianos in net for the 'Roos.
Kansas is off to its best start since 2008 when the Jayhawks reeled off six straight victories to begin the season before falling to Loyola Chicago. KU defeated Colorado (2-1, 2OT) and Denver (2-0) during a road trip to the Centennial State last weekend.
The Jayhawks are paced, offensively, by junior midfielder Liana Salazar who leads the Big 12 with six goals and 13 points. Goalkeeper Kaitlyn Stroud has allowed just three goals in five starts, with two shutouts and 20 saves. Stroud's save percentage of .870 also leads the league.
