Men's Soccer Dominant in Win over WIU

Saturday, October 23

Kansas City, Mo.

5:00 PM

Kansas City

3-6-3, 2-1-1

Western Illinois

1-12-1, 1-3-0

Western Ill.

Kansas City

Men's Soccer Dominant in Win over WIU

10/23/2021 7:43:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score

Jony Muñoz (44') made the difference in his return from injury, scoring the game-winner

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Men's Soccer was dominant over Western Illinois in this evening's match, defeating the Leathernecks, 1-0. Jony Munoz made his return to action after missing the last six matches, scoring the game-winner in the 44th minute and taking a career-high six shots.

KEY MOMENTS

6' | Arne Neufang earned the Roos' first shot opportunity after a corner kick by Kotaro Hirokawa, but mishit the ball right to the WIU keeper.
8' | Cooper Clark made his lone save of the day on the Leathernecks' first shot.
10' | Neufang made a smooth tackle in the midfield, generating an attack for the Roos.
25' | Hirokawa sent a grounder across the net to the foot of Hugo Von Reis, but his shot attempt was too heavy, sailing over the goal.
31' | Right after entering the game, Muñoz used a nifty move to create space, sending a shot on goal.
37' | A Hirokawa throw-in was played to the head of Joan Castells and sent over to the foot of Muñoz. He played a touch over the foot of a Leatherneck defender and spun around for a shot, but it ricocheted off the crossbar.
44' | Kansas City took the lead after Vlad Jokic sent a chip pass over the WIU back line to a wide-open Muñoz, who read the keeper well and sent it in to the back of the net for his second goal of the season.
51' | Muñoz earned two dangerous chances early in the second half, sending the first one just over the cross bar and the second off the left-side post.
65' | Garrett Nevshemal was left all alone on the left side of the goal, ripping the second shot of his KC career. The shot was saved by the foot of the Leathernecks' keeper.
78' | After a corner kick was left bouncing around the box, Gustavo Leal Murtha put a head on it, sending it high of the mark.
83' | Nevshemal sent a cross into the box, finding Mario Sandoval for a bicycle-kick opportunity, but the shot went right to the WIU keeper.

STATS TO NOTE

Kansas City dominated possession throughout the entire game, with a 61% possession rate.
In his return to action, Muñoz took six shots, including four on goal and one that found the back of the net.
Jokic chipped in with his first assist of the season.
Neufang has placed two shots on goal in each of the last two matches.
The Roo defense was stout throughout, allowing just three shots by the Leathernecks, the lowest for a Kansas City opponent this season.
Kansas City took a season-high 20 shots and seven corner kicks.
Ten different Roos attempted a shot in the match.

COACH RYAN PORE, QUOTED

"The guys did what we tried to achieve this week in training, in terms of hurting them with our passing and possession. I thought we had some really good chances tonight. At the end of the day, sometimes all it takes is one to win the game. I credit the back line and Cooper for the shutout. There were more goals to be had, it was unfortunate not to get more, but I think we're all happy with the three points."
"I'm sure (Cooper Clark) is feeling pretty good about himself with how this season is going. Today was a testament to the whole team, the back line did a good job of managing the depths between them and midfield."
"Jony's been itching to get back. He scored a great goal, and probably could have had two or three more. He's a difference maker in the attack for us, it was good to have him back out there and get him some minutes. I think he was a boost for everyone tonight."

UP NEXT
The Roos travel to St. Thomas next weekend for a battle with the newest members of the Summit League on Saturday at 1 p.m.