Junior Forward Brian Harris and Junior Midfielder Miguel Rodrigues in pursuit.

Roos put up united front in 3-1 victory

By: David Cordill

Posted: 9/10/07

It was Oct. 18, 2006 - almost two months into the season - when the UMKC soccer team won their third soccer match last year.
The Kangaroos, at a perfect 3-0 on the season, put that memory to rest Friday night at Bourke Field on the campus of Rockhurst University, posting a 3-1 victory over the Ramblers of Loyola University Chicago.
The victory gives UMKC, ranked fifth according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas Midwest Region Ranking, their best start in the school's history, and has turned the Blue and Gold squad into a cohesive unit.
"The team's very united," said junior midfielder Miguel Rodrigues. "One of the best things that I see is that the team is really playing for the team. This win is the fruit of our efforts and our hard work."
UMKC struck early in the match, getting their first goal at the 6:44 mark when freshman forward Bryan Perez' penalty kick, a low line drive to the right post, got past Loyola goalkeeper, Brian Byrne. The PK conversion was Perez's second of the young season.
"That's something I do best," Perez said. "I calm down and just think about the ball and the net. I look where I'm going to hit it and I hit it with confidence."
The Ramblers evened the score at 1-1 in the 26th minute as Michael Ferguson dribbled a shot past an out-of -position Brandon Amaya.
Loyola kept up the pressure for the remainder of the half, keeping the Kangaroo defense on their collective heels. In contrast, UMKC was unable to muster much of an attack and spent most of the first 45 minutes on their end of the field.
"We were playing so slow," said Head Coach Rick Benben. "We couldn't get the ball moving. For most of the first half we were just not in the game. We were fortunate not to be behind two or three goals really."
After the intermission, the Roos were nearly rabid with anticipation. Junior forward Garret Guthrie back-heeled a shot off freshman John Bayron Sosa's corner kick at the 50:05 mark of the game, giving UMKC a 2-1 advantage.
Moments later in the 53rd minute, Rodrigues fired in his first tally of 2007 after Loyola's Byrne stopped his first shot attempt.
"The goalie got stuck in the turf and fell over the ball," Rodrigues said. "So I got a second chance and this time I kicked it really, really hard and I got lucky enough to put it in the goal."
Up 3-1, UMKC kept up the hustle, taking 10-second half shots and keeping the Rambler defenders occupied.
"We played much faster and moved the ball quicker and that was the difference," Benben said. "It was certainly our best half so far."
Amaya stopped five shots on the evening, allowing one goal. Amaya has 17 saves in 270 minutes of playing time this season.
UMKC out shot Loyola 16-15 and recorded 10 shots on goal. The Ramblers were zero for nine in corner kick opportunities while the Kangaroos converted one of three.
dcordill@unews.com