After a week off from competition, the Baker University men’s soccer team returned to the field Wednesday, finding success with a 2-0 victory over the McPherson College Bulldogs

The road win improved the Wildcats’ overall record to 4-3-1 on the season, while McPherson fell to 2-4.

Before the game, head coach Nate Houser was expecting a fight from the Bulldogs and hoped his team would be able to match McPherson’s intensity on the field.

Senior captain Andy Griffin is proud of the effort his team showed during the game, although he thinks they could have done better.

“We came out slow and could have been a little sharper,” Griffin said. “After a while we started to take more chances and to get organized, and that’s when we started doing really well.”

The first goal of the game came during the 39th minute after a fast break from senior Richard Klein. The forward ripped a shot from 30 yards out, defeating the goalkeeper, for what Griffin called a “clinical finish.”

Freshman Cody Sliva earned his first collegiate playing time against McPherson and scored his first goal as well, securing the Wildcats’ 2-0 lead in the second half.

Houser believes that when the team is performing at its best mentally, physically and emotionally are capable of causing havoc for its opponents.

“When they’re in the mood, they’re a handful,” Houser said. “I think they can cause a lot of problems. They just have to show up every day. There are no days off.”

Baker is currently receiving votes in the NAIA coaches’ top 25 poll and will have the chance to continue its success as it takes on Kansas Wesleyan at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Liston Stadium.