Men's Soccer Game Story Sept. 19, 21 and 23

Sept. 19, Metropolitan Community College-Blue River at Independence

The Roadrunners took on the Metropolitan Community College-Blue River Trail Blazers in a Region 16 match. SFCC emerged with a 4-2 victory.

The Roadrunners scored early in the match with a goal from sophomore forward Mako Makoanyane. He was assisted by fellow sophomore forward Aaron La Paz. About 20 minutes late, Makoanyane found La Paz to make the score 2-0. Blue River got a goal to make the score 2-1 at halftime.

Freshman midfielder Vasbert Ledger found the back of the net twice in the second half. The first goal came on an assist from freshman forward Lesia Thetsane. Blue River cut the Roadrunner advantage to one with a goal with about 15 minutes remaining in the match. The second goal from Ledger came from an assist from freshman defender Nathan Hess to put the game away. Freshman goalkeeper Landon Dove made five saves.

"We hit the frame of the goal three times," said Head Coach Jaime Beltran, "To their credit, Blue River played for the full 90 minutes. They never stopped trying, and it was a good game for both teams."

Coach Beltran was pleased with the way his team responded on the road and got the victory.

"It was something we needed to do," said Beltran. "We got the ship righted and got back on the winning side, which was important for us."

Sept. 21, Missouri Valley College at Sedalia

SFCC kept the momentum going when they hosted Missouri Valley College in Sedalia. SFCC emerged with a 5-0 shutout.

"It was actually one of the most complete games that we have played," said Head Coach Jaime Beltran. "We played the full 90 minutes. We did the job defensively. I was able to get many of our guys in the game, and we took care of business. The guys that came in the game late maintained the shutout."

SFCC scored a goal with about eight minutes left in the opening half from freshman defender Hunter Crowden, courtesy of a pass from freshman forward Lesia Thetsane. Sophomore forward Aaron La Paz scored with less than five minutes remaining in the opening half off a pass from freshman midfielder Vasbert Ledger. Crowden scored his second goal when he beat the Missouri Valley goalkeeper on a one-on-one opportunity to put his team ahead 3-0. Sophomore forward Mako Makoanyone assisted with the goal.

In the second half, La Paz tucked the ball in the far corner of the net with about 21 minutes remaining. It was his second goal of the match. Freshman forward Lesia Thetsane finished the scoring off a combination play with less than 20 minutes left. Ledger recorded his second assist of the match. Freshman goalkeeper Landon Dove and fellow freshman goalkeeper Joshua Kunkelmancombined in the net for the shutout.

Sept. 23, Crowder College at Sedalia

SFCC entertained the Crowder College Roughriders from Neosho in an important Region 16 match. Crowder emerged with a 4-1 victory.

Crowder opened the scoring with a goal off a free kick with about 35 minutes remaining in the opening half. Crowder added another goal for a 2-0 lead at halftime. The Roughriders added two-second half goals for the win.

Sophomore forward Mako Makoanyane scored in the closing minutes with a goal courtesy of a pass from Hunter Crowden. Freshman goalkeeper Landon Dove made five saves. Sophomore forward Aaron La Paz registered three shots along with freshman forward Lesia Thetsane and freshman midfielder Vasbert Ledger. As a team, the Roadrunners registered 15 shots and five shots on goal.

"We possessed the ball a lot on their half of the field in the second half," said Head Coach Jaime Beltran. "We had our opportunities. We have to do a better job of defending set pieces."

The Roadrunners record currently stands at 6-4, 2-2 in Region 16.

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics