August 28 Central Methodist University at Fayette, Missouri
The State Fair Community College (SFCC) Lady Roadrunners continued their four-game road trip on Wednesday, August 28, taking on the Central Methodist University Eagles in Fayette, Missouri. SFCC fell by a score of 3-0.
"We made a mistake in the back within the first minute of the game," said Lady Roadrunners Associate Head Coach Dan Martin. "That kind of changed the whole dynamic of the game. It's tough to recover from that in soccer. We were playing from behind and that set the tone for the entire first half. Although we were down 2-0 at halftime, I feel like the second half was much better."
Central Methodist scored the final goal of the game in the 59th minute.
Sophomore forward Ria Kessell of Jefferson City, Missouri led the team in shots with four. Sophomore midfielder Melissa Martinez of Bolivia had three. Sophomore goalkeepers Samantha Curphey of Raymore, Missouri and sophomore goalkeeper Atziry Plascencia of El Paso, Texas split time in the net for SFCC, each recorded a pair of saves.
August 31 Southwestern Illinois College at Belleville, Illinois
SFCC wrapped up their four-game season opening road trip with a 4-0 loss to the Southwestern Illinois College Blue Storm on Saturday, Aug. 31 in Belleville, Illinois.
Sophomore midfielder Hailie Acton of Fulton, Missouri registered two shots, one of which was on target. Curphey got the start in goal for SFCC. She played the first half of the contest registering seven saves. Plascencia finished the game recording five saves.
"SWIC is a very good team," said Martin. "I felt for the first 15 minutes we played pretty well. We were able to pressure them and then we made a mistake in the back and went down 1-0. We gave up another goal shortly after that. To get to halftime only down 2-0, with as much pressure as they were putting on us, I thought was very good. We are doing good things and still building some confidence."
Sept. 1 North Iowa Area Community College at Tiger Stadium in Sedalia
Lady Roadrunners fans had their first opportunity to see SFCC play in Sedalia on Sunday, Sept.1. SFCC lost the game by a score of 2-1 to the North Iowa Area Community College Trojans from Mason City, Iowa. The game was moved from Clover Dell Park to Tiger Stadium at Smith-Cotton High School due to wet field conditions.
North Iowa opened the scoring with 33 minutes and 50 seconds remaining in the opening half. The Trojans would score again with 28 minutes and 20 seconds remaining until halftime.
The Lady Roadrunners missed a penalty kick with about 20 minutes to go in the game. SFCC got on the board with seconds remaining in game on a goal by Martinez.
Acton and Martinez registered four shots each in the game to tie for the team lead. Curphey once again got the start in the net for SFCC. She registered four saves. Plascencia played the second half of the game and recorded three saves.
"I thought we moved the ball well in the first 10 minutes of the game," said Martin. "We need to play a full 90 minute game. We need to start games with the same passion, drive, and intensity that we have been finishing them with. We have a good group that is good at making halftime adjustments, but the problem is at halftime we are already trailing. We have yet to play ahead of any of our opponents, that makes it very tough."
SFCC (0-5) will travel to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
David Rohrbach
SFCC Athletics