Hold Off MVC Champion Cougars, 2-0
(Kansas City, Mo.) – UMKC men’s soccer got an early goal and added an insurance tally in the second half to steal a road win at Missouri Valley Conference favorite and defending champion SIU-Edwardsville on Friday night, 2-0.
The ‘Roos (1-1) got on the board in the fourth minute when they took a corner kick that was punched by the goalkeeper, but landed nicely for senior defender Roberto Albuquerque, who hammered it home into the opposite post. It was Albuquerque’s third career goal, and first this season.
The Cougars (1-2) bounced back with some shots after that, with the best chance coming in the 33rd minute when Garet Christianson hit the crossbar from 15 yards out, but the rebound was cleared away.
UMKC took that 1-0 lead into the half, despite a 9-2 shot advantage for SIUE. Freshman goalkeeper Henrik Regitnig made saves on three shots.
The second stanza saw Missouri-Kansas City take the early share of the possession, but neither team had any good chances to score until the 68th minute, when freshman Felipe Cepeda hit a cross in on a corner kick that found the head of sophomore forward Wes White for a strong finish, making it 2-0. It was White’s first tally of the year, and fifth of his career, while Cepeda dished out his second assist in as many games.
The ‘Roos were content to just run the clock out after that, conceding possession to the Cougars. SIUE took eight shots, but were only able to put one on frame in the half, which Regitnig saved. He was forced to make only four saves to earn his first career shutout. UMKC was efficient on offense, scoring two goals on four shots in the contest.
The victory was the second in two years over the Cougars, and it was the first time the ‘Roos have posted back-to-back wins over SIUE since 1994 and 1995. It was also head coach Rick Benben’s first win on the road against his alma mater.
The ‘Roos will host Missouri State on Tuesday night in their home opener at 7 p.m.