The UMKC men’s soccer squad put together its most complete performance of the season on Friday night when it needed to, scoring three second half goals to come from behind and defeat defending WAC champion UNLV, 3-2.
The Kangaroos (5-8-2, 3-4-1 WAC) continued to be dominant at home, winning their sixth straight WAC home game, dating back to last season. In fact, the ‘Roos have not lost a WAC contest at home since October 10 of 2014. More importantly though, UMKC moved to 3-0 at home in WAC play this season, and are still in the hunt for a berth in the postseason tournament, hosted in Kansas City Nov. 12-15.
The Rebels (10-5-1, 4-3-1 WAC) had to deal with difficult weather conditions they hadn’t experienced yet this season, as it was in the 40’s and raining the entire night. Despite that, they took the early 1-0 lead in the 13th minute on their first chance of the night. Kevin Partida headed in an uncontested cross from Rodrigo Fuentes just outside the six-yard box that clanked in off the post.
UMKC created several chances and held possession throughout the opening period, while out-shooting the Rebels 7-3. One of the best opportunities to score came in the 29th minute when Pandelis Popgeorgiev got loose down the right side. He cut a pass back into the box for a trailing Sylvester Yiadom, who hit the shot first-time, but it was saved by the charging UNLV goalkeeper, Richard Garness.
The Rebels took that lead into the break, but UMKC would come out firing again in the second half. In the 56th minute the ‘Roos got on the board when a Derek Schrick free kick was driven in and found the head of defender Guerrero Pino, who flicked it into the far post netting to tie the match at one. It was Pino’s first goal of the season and fourth of his career.
It didn’t take long for the ‘Roos to grab the lead either, scoring in the 60th minute. Wes White took a ball down the left side of the field on a break, before juking a defender and cutting in the box to put the ball on his right foot for a clinical finish inside the far post top corner. It was White’s team-leading fourth goal of the year, and eighth of his career.
UNLV didn’t give up though, and evened the match at two in the 70th minute when leading scorer Danny Musovski headed in a cross on the front post from Bradley Kamdem.
The game-winning goal came from the ‘Roos in dramatic fashion, as senior forward Broc Cramer rose up for a header off a short corner kick with just 4:02 to play, hitting it from eight yards out in the middle back inside the front post. The cross came in from Popgeorgiev, who received a short corner from Michele Drago. It was the first goal of the season and fourth of his career for Cramer, as well as the first game-winner in his career.
Goalkeeper Ryan Tome logged three saves on the night to earn the victory.
UMKC will need to keep the streak going on Sunday when it hosts Grand Canyon in a 1 p.m. kickoff from Durwood Stadium.