Oct. 19, 2000
By student assistant Brandon Kieper
Men's Soccer Comes Home After Rugged Florida Adventure
GAME: Truman State University Bulldogs (Independent/NCAA Division II) vs. Missouri Southern State College Lions (Independent/NCAA Division II)
DATE: Oct. 21, 2000
TIME: 2 pm (CDT)
LOCATION: Truman Soccer Complex, Kirksville, Mo.
GAME: Truman State University Bulldogs (Independent/NCAA Division II) vs. University of Missouri-Rolla Miners (Independent/NCAA Division II)
DATE: Oct. 22, 2000
TIME: 2 pm (CDT)
LOCATION: Truman Soccer Complex, Kirksville, Mo.
TRUMAN: The Bulldogs are coming off a wild mid-term trip to Florida, featuring overtime encounters with a pair of national Top 25 squads. Truman opened the weekend by knocking off the No. 1 team in the land, the Barry University Buccaneers, 2-1. The Buccaneers got on the board first, with Greg Jaha's goal in the 31st minute. The 'Dogs struck back in the 74th minute, when junior Justin Shew (Webster Groves, Mo./Webster Groves) set up freshman Ricky Vigil (St. Louis/St. Louis University High) for the rookie's second goal in as many games. The match stretched deep into the first overtime period, until the 103rd minute when Truman sniper Matt Byers (Moville, Iowa/Woodbury Central) buried a penalty kick for his 13th goal of the season. The goal was Byers' fifth game--winner of the year and gave the 'Dogs the marquee victory they needed to re-enter the postseason tournament hunt.
Truman again went to an extra session on Monday at No. 12 Lynn University, this time coming out on the short end of a 2-1 overtime result. Again it was Byers tallying for the 'Dogs, assisted by senior Heine Andersen (Helsingor, Denmark). The day ended in disappoinment for Truman in the 101st minute when Lynn senior Josh Kristowski banged in the winner. Junior David Wiebenga (Raytown, Mo./Raytown South) played the entirety of each game in goal, allowing three goals in over 203 minutes of action.
SERIES RECORD AND RECAP: Truman has a lengthy and successful history with each of this weekend's former conference opponents. The 'Dogs won at MSSC 3-0 last season to improve their all-time mark against the Lions to 9-3-1. UMR did hand the Bulldogs their only loss in the final 12 regular season matches of '99, 2-3 in overtime in Rolla. The all-time series between the squads now stands at 16-6-2 in favor of Truman.
THE POLLS: The win over Barry launches Truman 10 notches up the National Soccer Coaches of America/Adidas national Division II poll to No. 13. The 'Dogs also rise to the coveted No. 2 ranking in the Central Region.
'DOGS IN NCAA STATISTICS: Matt Byers remains one of the most torrid offensive forces in the nation. Byers is currently the 12th most potent scorer with 1.09 goals per game.
THE DISH ON MSSC: The Lions are 5-8 and play at John Brown University (Ark.) Thursday before the trip to Kirksville. Junior forward Marcio Campos leads the squad with 12 goals and 26 points. Senior goalkeeper David Haney has seen action in seven contests, making 40 saves and posting a 2.00 GAA.
THE DISH ON UMR: The Miners opened 2000 with six victories but have now lost four in a row. Senior forward Nathan Wojtkiewicz paces the offense with eight goals and 18 points. Junior 'keeper Todd Wilfling has allowed eight goals in eight games while making 31 saves.