Sports

Two Teams, Two Days, Four Victories

September 5, 2007

By Saul Bush

There was a great start to the 2007 season by the men’s and women’s soccer teams this weekend. With the challenging task of two games in two days for both teams, the men and women managed to pull through and win all four games, conceding only one goal in the process. The games were played at Soccer Park in Fenton on Friday and Saturday.

Lyon College 2-0:
The women’s team kicked off the action on Friday as they hosted Lyon College. The game was a close contest to begin with as the first 45 minutes finished goalless. The lady Spartans came out the stronger of the two teams in the second half with sophomore Taylor Hay scoring her first goal of the regular season. The lady Spartans were two up shortly after with freshman Nicole Hazlett scoring an elegant header from Stef Ryan’s corner. After the game Deno Merrick, the men and women’s head soccer coach, gave his verdict on the game. "Tonight we started to show what we can do," said Merrick. "We keep improving. In the second half, we did the things we wanted to do."

Missouri Valley College 1-0:
The men’s team started their season directly after the women’s team as they faced Missouri Valley, a side whom they had lost to 1-0 last season in a tight encounter. MBU was out for revenge and started quickly with a goal from Nyron Orr who pounced to tuck away a rebounded shot. The game turned into a physical encounter as several yellow cards were brandished, but MBU was able to hold onto the 1-0 win. Merrick said, "Missouri Valley is traditionally a tough team, we created a lot of chances, and we got what we needed, which was a victory."

St. Ambrose University 2-1:
The following day saw the women’s team play St. Ambrose University at a 1:00 p.m. kick-off. The searing midday heat coupled with the tired legs from the day before meant the girls had to be resilient as they faced a technically-gifted St. Ambrose side. MBU took the advantage with Taylor Hay scoring her second goal in as many days. Soon after, Stef Ryan scored her first goal of the season. With 20 minutes to go, St Ambrose pulled a goal back setting up a nervy ending, but it proved to be a mere consolation goal as the Lady Spartan’s held out to complete the 2-1 win.

Trinity International University 1-0:
The final game of the weekend saw the strange feat of a goal being scored within the opening play of the game. Senior Ike Emegano played a long-throw ball that saw Brock Chatman utilize his pace to beat the defense and slot the ball past the keeper. Incredibly, the goal came after a mere 20 seconds. The remaining 89 minutes saw MBU create several more chances, but they were unable to double their lead leaving them with two consecutive 1-0 wins.

After the weekend’s action, men’s captain Jared Eden commented on the previous two games: “Overall I thought we played well,” said Eden. “Everybody was looking forward to the first set of games, and I thought it showed in the way they gave their all.” In response to the curious incident when the team took the lead against Trinity after only 20 seconds, he said, “I have only seen a goal that fast on TV; it was great to see Brock get on the score sheet.” Now both teams can look to hopefully continue their good form and make this a season to remember.

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