Nov. 1, 2000
by student assistant Brandon Kieper
Men's Soccer Rolling Into Season's Final Weekend
Game: Truman State University Bulldogs (Independent/NCAA Division
II) vs. Southwest Baptist University Bearcats (Independent/NCAA Division
II)
Date: Nov. 4, 2000
Time: 2 pm (CST)
Location: Bolivar, Mo.
Game: Truman State University Bulldogs (Independent/NCAA Division
II) vs. Drury University (Independent/NCAA Division I)
Date: Nov. 5, 2000
Time: 1:00 pm (CST)
Location: Springfield, Mo.
Truman: The Bulldogs have not lost in their last four games after a pair of shutout victories at home last weekend. Truman dominated St. Joseph's College (Ind.) 6-0 on Friday and the University of Indianapolis 4-0 on Saturday. Eight different 'Dogs got in the scoring column against the Pumas, led by juniors Michael Roth (St. Charles, Mo./Desmet), who netted a pair of goals, and Matt Byers (Moville, Iowa/Woodbury Central), who scored once and also dished out a pair of assists. Also putting balls in the net for Truman were senior captain Jeremy Jackson (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame North) and juniors Justin Shew (Webster Groves, Mo./Webster Groves) and David Green (Papillion, Neb./Creighton Prep). Freshman Ricky Vigil (St. Louis/St. Louis University High) passed out two assists while senior Heine Andersen (Helsingor, Denmark) and junior Matt Gross (Ballwin, Mo./Lafayette) contributed one helper each.
Saturday was senior day at Bulldog Soccer Park, and Andersen celebrated his final appearance on the home pitch in style by netting three goals. Fittingly, fellow senior Ryan Swan (Perth, Scotland/Kemper Military J.C.) scored the other Truman goal, his eighth of the season. Byers assisted on two scores and Jackson on one. Junior netminder David Wiebenga (Raytown, Mo./Raytown South) made a total of nine saves to earn both shutouts. Since taking over for the injured TJ Dube (Columbia, Mo./Hickman), Wiebenga has posted a stellar 0.53 goals against average and a 5-1-1 record.
Series Record and Recap: Truman has never been defeated by either of the weekend's opponents. The 'Dogs romped 8-0 over SBU at home last year to improve their mark against the Bearcats to a flawless 7-0. Truman last clashed with Drury in 1997, when the 'Dogs won 4-1 to improve their mark against Panthers to 4-0-1.
The Polls: Truman inches up one notch to No. 14 in the National Soccer Coaches of America/Adidas national Division II poll and continue to cling to the No. 2 ranking in the Central Region.
The Dish on SBU: The Bearcats are 8-10 after Saturday's overtime win over Dallas Baptist. Freshman forward Thomas Milam leads the team with seven goals and 23 points. Senior 'keeper Shane Kennard has allowed 26 goals and made 78 saves over 16 contests.
The Dish on Drury: The Panthers improved to 9-9 with a 2-0 win Monday over Oral Roberts. Sophomore forward John Pedroli paces the offense with 10 goals and 24 points. Junior goalie Mike Gallagher has surrendered 34 goals in 14 games while making 75 saves.