Sept. 7 Central Methodist University at Fayette

The Roadrunners got back on the winning track with a 4-2 victory over the Central Methodist University Eagles in Fayette.

CMU scored first at the 33-minute mark. SFCC responded with a goal from sophomore forwardAaron La Paz off a pass from freshman midfielder Vasbert Ledger. Seven minutes later, La Paz found forward sophomore Mako Makoanyane who scored to give SFCC a 2-1 lead.

"That was probably some of the best soccer that we played all season," said Head Coach Jaime Beltran. "It was a 20 or 25 pass sequence where we went from the back through the midfield all the way up the field. We were able to switch the point of attack and finished the play with a combination in the box. That was really good."

The Eagles tied the match at two in the 50th minute. The Roadrunners again answered, courtesy of La Paz who scored a second time off an assist from freshman defender Thomas Todd. Sophomore midfielder Logan Horn finished the scoring with an unassisted goal with about 10 minutes remaining.

"I was proud of the way that our guys responded when they faced a little adversity," said Beltran. "They responded the right way; they went back to work and took care of business."

Freshman goalkeeper Landon Dove made four saves.

September 9, St. Charles Community College at Sedalia

The Roadrunners opened Region 16 and Missouri Community College Athletic Conference play in fine fashion with a 7-1 victory over the St. Charles Community College Cougars from Cottleville. The seven goals were the most scored in one match since the resumption of the program last season.

At the beginning of the game, members of the Sedalia United Soccer Academy boys 10 and under team joined the Roadrunners on the field for the national anthem and served as ball kids.

Sophomore forward Mako Makoanyane began the scoring with a great individual effort at the three-minute mark of the opening half. It was the first of three goals in about nine minutes for SFCC. Freshman defender Thomas Todd scored off a pass from freshman midfielder Vasbert Ledger. Sophomore midfielder Logan Horn finished the early scoring flurry with a penalty kick at the 10-minute mark.

"Scoring three goals in the first nine minutes was a great way to get rolling on offense," said Head Coach Jaime Beltran. "Even with that early success, there was a learning opportunity for our team. We got a little bit overconfident, relaxed a little too much and gave up a goal.  The goal from St. Charles made us realize that we still have to play the entire game. To their credit, St. Charles kept working hard. It was a good game for us."

Makoanyane scored his second goal off an assist from sophomore forward Aaron La Paz at the 35-minute mark in the first half. La Paz closed the scoring in the first half for SFCC with the fifth goal off a pass from Makoanyane.

With less than 20 minutes left in the game, Ledger scored, and freshman forward Lesia Thetsaneripped a shot in the final seconds off a pass from sophomore midfielder Brendan Hofheins for the final point.

"It was a good way for the guys to start their conference and region seasons," said Beltran.

Freshman goalkeeper Landon Dove stared in net for SFCC and made five saves. Every SFCC player on the eligible roster saw action. Sophomore goalkeeper Reece Gabbert made three saves, and freshman goalkeeper Joshua Kunkelman made his first appearance in a collegiate match.

 
The Roadrunners record currently stands at 4-1, 1-0 in Region and 1-0 in the Missouri Community College Athletic Conference.

The Roadrunners are receiving votes in this week's NJCAA Division I Men's soccer rankings.

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics