Kansas City
14-4-3, 5-2-1
Missouri State
12-4-2, 7-0-1
Roos' Magical Season Continues with Win over #15 Missouri State
11/25/2024 12:22:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Kansas City won in comeback fashion yet again, scoring two second half goals and moving to the Round of 16
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - If it had not already, Kansas City Men's Soccer (14-4-3) has now officially put the college soccer world on notice, taking down #15 Missouri State (12-4-2) and advancing to the Third Round of the NCAA Championships for the first time in program history.
The Roos found themselves in an early hole after the Bears opened the scoring in the 32nd minute and seemed to control the pace of the first half. KC had been in those sports before, however, and maintained its composure.Â
A few minor adjustments to the formation were made, and it made all the difference. The Roos were able to get wide and send flurries of crossing attempts into the box. Brevyn Cole sent one to the back post in the 51st minute, finding Sora Shibata for the equalizing goal early in the second half.Â
Later in the half, Julien Le Bourdoulous' corner kick masterclass continued and for the second-straight game, he found the forehead of a defensive center back for the game-winner. This time, it was Ales Kohoutek, scoring his first goal of the season.
The Roos play on, making their statement as one of the final 16 teams remaining in the nation. Next on the docket is #2 Pittsburgh on the road, where KC has earned its chops all season long.
KEY MOMENTS | HIGHLIGHTS
- 13' / 0-0 | Missouri State pressured the Roos early, entering the six-yard box on a dangerous cross by Jared Harlock. Pablo Guillen sent a shot at the goal, blocked away by the foot of Brandon McGaugh. The rebound went back to Ollie Bate, whose shot attempt was pinned between the legs of McGaugh and Cole and kept out of the net.
- 15' / 0-0 | The Roos got their first attempt of the night as Elie Kisoka sent a through ball to a streaking Jeremy Francou. Francou caught up to the ball and sent a one-touch shot to goal, but the Bears' Will Lowry had come off his line and blocked it away.
- 32' / 0-1 | The Bears took a free kick from near the right sideline, sending a cross that was cleared but found the foot of Jesus Barea. He sent an entry pass back into the box and found Victor Wachowicz, who drew the attention of all of Kansas City's defense and found Harry Jolley for the opening goal.
- 37' / 0-1 | Mathias Baucher earned a corner kick for the Roos, taken by Gabriele Galluccio. He sent an out-swinging ball to the middle of the box and found Raphael Kistmann, but his shot attempt was saved by Lowry.
- 51' / 1-1 | Kansas City took a free kick early in the second half and opted to build out of the back with Guille Munoz finding Cole on a long connection to the edge of the attacking third. Cole passed to Kisoka and quickly began a run of his own, sending a cross to the back post and finding Shibata for a header. The attempt was sent towards the goal and pushed across the goal line by a Missouri State defender, equalizing the score.
A beauty of a build up by @BrevynCole and @Elie_Kisoka results in a Sora equalizer ?? https://t.co/3pPc3MQYM4 pic.twitter.com/KlRpU32N8l
— Kansas City Soccer (@KCRoosMSoccer) November 25, 2024
- 72' / 2-1 | The Roos put together one of their best offensive possessions of the evening, controlling the ball and finding Kisoka for a header that was saved by Lowry for a corner kick. Le Bourdoulous placed a service right on the six-yard box, finding a towering Kohoutek for the eventual game-winner.
The corner kick magic strikes again!@julienlebourdo6 ?? Kohoutek
— Kansas City Soccer (@KCRoosMSoccer) November 25, 2024
pic.twitter.com/mOBT4juHfU https://t.co/u5qGwrOjZ9
- 88' / 2-1 | Missouri State would not go down quietly, attacking until the final moments. A long throw in found Barea, who spun to the ground as Fernando Somolinos Bravo poked the ball away. The referee went to the VAR tent to check for a potential penalty but emerged without any new news and Kansas City would hold on late for the victory.
STATS TO NOTE
- Kansas City took down the Bears twice this season, scoring five goals in total. All five came via a converted header and all five came from a different goal scorer.
- The Roos have now won three games over United Soccer Coaches' Top-25 ranked teams, a program record. They took down Denver twice, ranked No. 3 and No. 4 and defeated No. 11 Missouri State tonight.
- Kansas City has scored on five corner kick goals in the past four games, all coming from the foot of Le Bourdoulous. He now has 10 total assists on the year, tying a program single-season record.
- McGaugh made six saves on the night, coming within one of his career high. He has now made 10 saves across the past two games, allowing just one goal across.
- The Roos are into the Round of 16 for the first time in program history. The team's previous best appearance was in 2001, qualifying for the Round of 32.
POSTGAME INTERVIEWS
Head Coach Ryan Pore | Ales Kohoutek/Sora Shibata
UP NEXT
The Roos will play in the Third Round of the NCAAs next Sunday, Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. CT, taking on Pittsburgh, the second-seeded team in the tournament.
Team Stats
Harry Jolley (2)
Assisted By: Victor Wachowicz , Jesus Barea
GOAL by MOST Jolley, Harry Assist by Wachowicz, Victor and Barea, Jesus.
31:10
Sora Shibata (2)
Assisted By: Brevyn Cole , Elie Kisoka
GOAL by KC Shibata, Sora Assist by Cole, Brevyn and Kisoka, Elie.
50:35
Ales Kohoutek (1)
Assisted By: Julien Le Bourdoulous
GOAL by KC Kohoutek, Ales Assist by Le Bourdoulous, Julien.
71:52
