McPherson, KS – September 8^th, 2020

The Tigers got off to a good start to the season after defeating the Central Baptist College Mustangs 4-1. Freshman Tyler Hoxie had this to say about the game "I think we played well together. We had a few mistakes and nerves which came with the first game of the season. But we settled in nicely and worked hard for each other."
 
The Tigers took control from the start of the game. Senior Leslie Feh scored the first goal just over twenty minutes into the game. He was assisted by Matias Nunez. Less than two minutes later, Manny Tadeo scored the second goal of the game. He was also assisted by Nunez. The Tigers were up 2-0 at the end of the first half.
 
The Tigers came out of halftime ready to put away the game. Freshman Drew Schrader scored the first goal of the half while Nunez picked up his third assist on the game. Less than one minute later the Mustangs answered back with their first and only goal of the game. That goal was scored by Issac Delafuente.
 
The Tigers remained dominant throughout the rest of the game. Sophomore Benjamin Barrera scored the final goal of the game and left the Mustangs with only twenty three minutes to make up three goals. The Tigers were able to close out the game and come away with the three point win over the Mustangs.
 
The Men's Soccer team will be back in action on Friday night at home.

Coach Hoxie said this about the game today:
"I thought today was as good of an opening day performance that we've had in the last 5 to 6 years. I can't remember a time when our players were as focused as they were on the task at hand. Their ability to be in midseason form this early is a testament to how hard they worked during the lockdown and at home this summer. I couldn't be prouder of their commitment to the task today."
 
"The first 15 minutes was a feeling out. We just kept our shape and tried to find opportunities to keep the ball. However, once we were able to change our shape and put a little bit more pressure on the ball things really started to open up for us. Getting two goals in a two minute span was the back breaker. In fact I thought we were unlucky not to score to three more. Their goal keeper made a great double save from point-blank range including one that was cleared off of the line by a defender."
 
"The challenge at halftime was to grow the lead and figure out a way to gain intensity from the first half. We all know how tricky  2 nil halftime leads can be to the mental psyche of players. Getting that third goal after a little bit of pressure from CBC was crucial. Then the icing on the cake with the fourth goal on a textbook sequence was a thing of beauty."
 
"Overall, this was a good start to the season. Some really good things to build off of but also some things to improve on. We've got to be a lot more clinical in front of goal, patient on the ball in midfield, and of course we can't get stripped in the back line. Want to give a quick word to our bench players today. Those guys came in and really did a job. Their intensity, energy, and commitment level was strong, which was crucial to our success today."
 
Go Tigers!
#Ambush