Ken Cooper was bombarded by shots for 90 minutes.

Wizard's blizzard bounces Roos

By: David Cordill

Posted: 8/25/08

The best thing about the UMKC men's soccer team's 8-1 loss to the Kansas City Wizards reserve unit on Saturday was that the match didn't count.

Forward Ivan Trujillo's four-goal first half highlighted a 90-minute preseason soccer clinic at Wizard's practice facility in which the Major League Soccer pros schooled their NCAA Division I opponents all morning long.

UMKC was out-quicked and out-kicked all over the pitch by a squad of action-hungry subs trying to gain both notice and promotion within their organization. From the ninth minute on, when Trujillo nailed his first strike, it was apparent the Wizards were going to play hard.

"Their chances to get into the starting line-up or play a lot of minutes in a football game are limited," said Kris Kelderman, Wizards assistant coach and reserve squad coach. "We take a priority when these guys get a chance, if they get a chance, they're ready to go. So, we take all of these games very seriously."

That was more than evident to the host of onlookers on hand for the game. The Wizards stung the Roos with three goals in the first twenty minutes and led 6-0 at the break. UMKC broke the goose egg at 47:30, when junior midfielder Bryan Perez crossed a ball to junior forward Levi Coleman for their lone tally. The score was the first made by any college opponent to face the Wizards reserves this season.

Less than five minutes later, the Wizards midfielder Kurt Morsink made it 7-1 after getting an unassisted ball past Cooper and under the crossbar. Midfielder Nelson Pizarro increased the Wizards advantage to 8-1 from 25 yards out in the 80th minute.

Asked about the lopsided loss and its possible effect on the team, Kangaroo Head Coach Rick Benben seemed unfazed in his assessment.

"I don't think there are any negatives to take away from [the match]," he said. "That's what the result should be against a professional team. It's a big part of our preseason to play against that kind of competition… There's nothing negative about it at all."

The Wizards reserve squad peppered the box with 14 shots on goal, keeping UMKC senior goalkeeper Ken Cooper airborne for much of the contest. The barrage of balls sent his way via a supercharged Kansas City attack sent the UMKC netminder leaping and lunging in numerous save attempts.

But considering the multiple shooting angles the Wizards took aim with against the UMKC goalkeeper, Cooper said the work was beneficial.

"It'll help me get ready for next week's game at UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago)," he said.

Cooper played the full ninety for the Roos, recording five saves on the day. His counterpart Eric Kronberg registered four saves out of five shots on goal.

With the defeat, the Kangaroos finish their preseason with a record of 1-1-1. They will travel to play the University of Illinois-Chicago on Friday night and then take on the University of Eastern Illinois on Sunday afternoon.

dcordill@unews.com