The University News

Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: courtesy UMKC Athletics UMKC goalkeeper Ken Cooper came up big on the penalty shoot-out.

UMKC's tension charged 4-3 shootout victory over top seeded Oakland University was a two-fold triumph for the Kangaroos' men's soccer team.

First, by virtue of the win, they captured the Summit League Championship tournament crown, their first conference title since 2001.

Secondly, and more importantly, the Roos earned a berth in the NCAA College Cup soccer tournament.

UMKC sophomore goalkeeper Ken Cooper made seven saves, including two vital shootout grabs, and the Kangaroos converted on all four of their penalty kicks in the overtime thriller Sunday afternoon in Rochester, Mich.

"They're very happy and proud like they should be," UMKC Head Coach Benben said. "Certainly we have a lot of respect for both Oakland and Western Illinois, they're great teams. But it was a great accomplishment."

The Golden Grizzlies came out with their guns blazing, firing four shots in the first 7:30 of the match. Stefan St. Louis took his first crack at the net 40 seconds into the fray, but UMKC sophomore goalkeeper Ken Cooper was able to sweep up the attempt.The Kangaroos had few chances on offense in the first frame. Until UMKC sophomore midfielder Levi Coleman recorded the team's first shot on goal (SOG) in the 33rd minute, Oakland had out-blasted the Kangaroos 10-0. Still, the game remained scoreless going into the break.

According to Benben, the field condition was a big factor, as the surface was wet due to rain and periods of heavy snow.

"Overall the conditions were tough," he said. "It was really slippery."

Cooper came up with his third stop on another nodded ball, this one off the noggin of Sebastian Harris at the 30:11 mark, and then he seized Tom Catalano's effort several minutes later, giving him four saves for the frame.

Early in the first half, the Kangaroos received their first big break of the match. The Golden Grizzlies' goalkeeper Steve Clark was slapped with a red card at the 52:10 mark for an illegal tackle outside of the box after taking down Kangaroos' senior forward Brain Harris. UMKC would play a man up for the remainder of the match and Oakland was forced to employ inexperienced redshirt freshman net minder Mitch Hildebrandt.

Undaunted, Oakland showed their mettle. St. Louis, with an opportunity in the box, struck a shorthanded goal at the 58:07 mark to put the Golden Grizzlies up 1-0.

Continued...

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