Photo by Kami Wood
McPherson, Kan. – The Central Christian College men's soccer team opened up Sooner Athletic Conference play on Tuesday, hosting the #1 team in the nation in both the NAIA and NCCAA polls, the Mid-America Christian University Evangels.
The Tigers had a sound tactical strategy coming into the match, taking away much of the Evangels' ability to play through the midfield with their defense. On offense, the Tigers went right at the teeth of the Evangels' defense with high pressure in the midfield, hoping to force turnovers.
The strategy paid off, 12 minutes into the opening frame. High pressure from Drew Schrader (Sr. McPherson, Kan.) deep in the Evangels' defensive third resulted in a turnover. Schrader got into the 18 yard box and was fouled resulting in a penalty kick. Riccardo Di Vincenzo (Sr. Custonaci, Italy) completed the try, and the Tigers grabbed the early lead one nil. They would carry that one goal advantage into the halftime intermission.
In the second half, the Evangels made some key adjustments, and came out of the break with a different energy and intensity. The Tigers did their best to weather the storm, but two minutes in, they were given a pk after a Tiger foul in the 18 yard box. They converted the attempt knotting the score at 1-1.
The Tigers had a couple of other good looks in the second half, but nothing materialized. In the 70th minute, the Evangels played a long ball from the left defensive back position across the field to an attacker on the right flank who got in behind the Tiger defense. He went one on one with Rodolfo Ramirez (Jr. Mission Viejo, Calif.) the Tiger net minder. Ramirez came out to try and take away the attack angle, but to no avail. The Evangel striker found the back of the net past a diving Ramirez, to give his team a 2-1 lead.
The Tigers continued to look for opportunities for an equalizer, but the Evangel defense would bend but not break and the clock hit zeros with MACU on top 2-1.
Ramirez had a fantastic job in net for the Tigers. He faced seven shots on goal, stopping five of them.
Coach Hoxie had these thoughts after the game. "Tough game. Fun game. Thought we did enough to win it to be fair. Both teams had chances, but the game is about the margins. Clear example today...we had the chances, and didn't take it, their All-American got one chance, and won the game for them. Outside of that, we hit our standard, competed fiercely, and almost put people on notice."
"Emotional day for me personally because I had to make a choice, and I've got to live with that. The guys gave me a nice surprise in pregame, for that I'm appreciative."
The Tigers, now 5-1-2 overall and 0-1 in SAC play, will continue conference play this weekend when they go on the road to take on Wayland Baptist University on Saturday. Kick-off is slated for 3:00 pm.
