| Men’s Soccer Miners open season with a 0-2 record |
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| Written by Nathaniel Hay | |
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As Miner soccer enters its second year of Great Lakes Valley Conference play, hopes are high to improve last year’s record of 8-9-3. Last year’s season saw the Miners make the tournament but get denied in the first round after a tooth and nail game versus Rockhurst, who became the eventual GLVC champion. After a season of close losses, the Miners are taking the steps needed to improve in the new GLVC. This upcoming season returns 22 veterans of last year’s Miner squad, many of which are season starters. The Miners strive to improve their 9th place preseason standing with the help of its experienced and talented crew. Leading the Miner defense this season will be heavy-hitting seniors Derek Pelate and Zach Crane, junior Keith Beers, and sophomores Nick Mentesana and Wade Aitken-Palmer. Great things are expected from Pelate as he rolls off his all-conference performance of last season. Adding strength to the defensive lineup will be goalkeeper Mike McNamee, who played every second of last year’s season, which included six shutouts. In the midfield, the Miners also hope to capitalize on veteran experience. Following the leadership of seniors Justin Lightner, Will Kirby, Todd Wegner and Adam Daniel, and the talent of sophomore Brandon Moore, the Miners will have the power to move the ball goal-side. Lightner, who led the Miners in goals scored for the 2005 season, is expected to lead the offensive attack. Up front, UMR will have the scoring potential of Dan Gravlin and Dan Salzman on their side. Joining last year’s squad of returnees will be freshmen Tim Gross, Brian Tucker, Matt Wilson, and newcomer Josh Roach, who spent time playing at William Jewell two years ago. Head coach Vince Darnell has been very pleased with the squad’s commitment and conditioning coming into the 2006 season. Darnell is confident in the preseason training of the past few weeks and optimistic about keeping the squad healthy throughout the season. Darnell enters his fifth year as UMR head soccer coach and knows what it takes to create a successful program. This past weekend, the UMR Miner squad set out to battle the St. Mary Rattlers and Christian Brothers in Joplin, MO. In Friday’s game versus St. Mary’s, UMR’s successful first half in which Derek Palate scored a beautiful unassisted first goal, was only thwarted by the strong Rattler offense, knocking in three goals and outshooting the Miners 9-3. After Pelate’s shot, the game tying goal came at the 56:37 mark when St. Mary’s Raul Davira planted one for the Rattlers. Eight minutes later, the Rattler’s broke the tie with a post from Scott Kilpatatick. St. Mary’s then sealed the deal with its third goal off of Kris Sumpter during a corner kick by Jonathan Gray. Although UMR was out-shot 16-8, Miner goalkeeper Mike McNamee made four terrific saves while trying to keep UMR in the contest. The action continued Saturday morning as the Miner squad took on the Christian Brothers Buccaneers. Again, the Miners banked a one-goal lead early in the game only to be bested by an overtime rally put forth by the Buccaneers. Putting the Miners on the board very early in the second half was a spectacular plant by Andy Held off of Adam Daniel’s corner kick. Christian Brothers retaliated on a penalty kick in which the tied score sent the game into overtime. Four minutes into overtime, Christian Brothers ended the contest with a quick goal and secured the Miners a 0-2 record early in the season. Even with a 0-2 start, the Miners are optimistic for regular season play which will start Sunday, Sept. 3rd. The Miners’ next game will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday night, when UMR hosts Missouri Southern at the UMR Soccer Complex. |
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