Roos Move to Second Round of NCAAs on Munoz' Game-Winner

Thursday, November 21

Saint Louis, MO

7:00 PM

Kansas City

13-4-3, 5-2-1

Saint Louis

8-5-8, 4-1-3

Kansas City

Saint Louis

Photo by: Francie Wilson

Roos Move to Second Round of NCAAs on Munoz' Game-Winner

11/22/2024 12:03:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Postgame Interviews Highlights Photo Gallery

Kansas City takes down Saint Louis for the first time in 12 tries, moves on to Missouri State on Sunday

ST. LOUIS - It was a win 23 years in the making. Kansas City Men's Soccer (13-4-3) has long awaited its turn to make noise at the national stage, and that chance came to fruition on Thursday evening as the Roos took down Saint Louis (8-5-8) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, 2-0. The win is Kansas City's second in the NCAA Tournament all-time and is the first since 2001.

The match started and the Billikens were the aggressors, firing off eight shots in the first 45 minutes. The Roos' defense stood strong, blocking away shots and relying on the stopping ability of Brandon McGaugh to make saves.

As Kansas City settled into the match, it felt like it was only a matter of time before the floodgates opened up. It started in the 67th minute as the Roos earned a corner kick, their first of the game.

Both of KC's goals in the Summit League Championship win over Denver came on corner kicks.

The magic could not possibly continue, right?

Wrong.

Julien Le Bourdoulous sent a service into the box, and it was a beauty. The ball hung in the air and settled right on the forehead of Guille Munoz for the first goal of his collegiate career.

Kansas City tacked on another goal in the 83rd minute when Elie Kisoka and Jeremy Francou combined for a brilliant run that resulted in a Francou screamer.

The win reverses Kansas City's much-chagrined history with the Billikens. Entering tonight, the Roos were winless in 11 attempts against SLU. That includes a loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2001, and two losses under Head Coach Ryan Pore.

Now, none of that matters. All that matters is that the Roos survive to play another game, taking on No. 15 Missouri State in Springfield at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.

KEY MOMENTS | HIGHLIGHTS

3' / 0-0 | Saint Louis earned an early corner kick, sending it into the box to the foot of Matthew Wrobel. He put a shot on goal, but Wesley Cribb was standing on the goal line and blocked the attempt away.
21' / 0-0 | Francou and Kisoka foreshadowed their later goal, combining for a run that resulted in a Kisoka shot, the Roos' first of the day.
23' / 0-0 | Le Bourdoulous made a move past a defender and found open space on the edge of the attacking third. He let a shot fly from 30 yards out, forcing SLU's Jeremi Abonnel to make a save.
43' / 0-0 | The Billikens' Max Floriana took a rip at goal from the right side of the box, but McGaugh was there for a save to take the game into the half even at 0-0.
59' / 0-0 | Kansas City created back-to-back dangerous opportunities, first from Fernando Somolinos Bravo and then from Francou.
67' / 1-0 | The Roos got onto the scoresheet on Munoz's goal, a beauty of a header that popped into the back of the net.

Oh là là, the beautiful service from @julienlebourdo6 and @gmunoozv1 rises above the crowd to put it home ?????#ROOUP | #DeclareKC https://t.co/IQd3MegjVr pic.twitter.com/3JKhTKI4TZ
— Kansas City Soccer (@KCRoosMSoccer) November 22, 2024

83' / 2-0 | Kansas City doubled its lead late in the game when Brevyn Cole played a ball forward to Kisoka along the left sideline. He moved towards the box, sending a pass to Francou that he took a touch on and let fly towards the left-side netting.

What a run and the dish from @Elie_Kisoka finds Jeremy to double the lead ?? https://t.co/qERmPQIX4H pic.twitter.com/UzDpNI35oC
— Kansas City Soccer (@KCRoosMSoccer) November 22, 2024

STATS TO NOTE

Kansas City continues to prove itself as one of the best road teams in the nation. The Roos have now won an NCAA-leading eight road games, including three against RPI top-40 teams.
The Roos are up to 13 total wins on the season, a program record. The previous record of 12 wins was set in 2001, when KC had its last NCAA Tournament win.
Munoz made it 18 different Kansas City players that have scored a goal this season, tallying the first of his two-year career.
After a 4-8-6 record last year, the Roos are 13-4-3 this season, a 6.5 game improvement. Last season, only four teams had a win improvement greater than 6.5 games.
The Roos have scored a goal in 14-straight games, tied for the second-longest streak in program history. The longest was a 16-game streak from Oct. 30, 1998 to Oct. 23, 1999.

POSTGAME INTERVIEWS
Coach Ryan Pore/Guille Munoz/Brandon McGaugh

UP NEXT
The Roos move to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, playing No. 15 Missouri State on Sunday. KC took on the Bears earlier this season, winning a 3-2 decision