The Baker men’s soccer team’s 2-0 win Wednesday against Avila University probably wasn’t the main point of discussion at the water coolers Thursday.
Midway through the first half, the match came to a halt after the head referee left the field and didn’t return. After a delay, the match finished with two referees.
“He came in and started giving yellow cards, and then, all of a sudden, he got around to a guy the second time and he realizes he’s made a mistake, and instead of just owning up to it, moving on, he quits,” head coach Nate Houser said. “(He) just walks away.”
After a scoreless first half, junior Sean McAlister broke the tie for the Wildcats with a strike from 40 yards away. Sophomore Ethan Bauer added another goal to extend the lead for the Wildcats.
“We dealt with all of the adversity very well and it was workman-like, it didn’t come easy,” Houser said.
The mist was heavy and the air was cold Saturday night when the Baker men’s soccer team took the field in its conference opener against Central Methodist University.
Despite the weather, a fierce energy blanketed Liston Stadium. After opening last year in a tie against the Eagles, the Wildcats set out to make a statement that would resound throughout the conference.
“We came out and set a good tempo to the game,” junior Tom Lowndes said. “We got the ball down and we passed it well. We created a bunch of chances. The hard work and desire were there.”
Houser was pleased with the team’s work ethic in the first half, something he has stressed throughout the season.
“I thought we came out and we were much more disciplined in what we were trying to do,” Houser said. “We have taken a few steps in the last couple of weeks to really put ourselves on a path to be more successful.”
The second half provided the fruits of the ‘Cats’ labor, as Bauer drove a ball into the top, right corner of the net after 64 minutes of play.
Lowndes compounded the lead with six minutes left in the match, skirting a goal past the Central Methodist goalkeeper.
“Coach (Houser) told me to just keep going and I would get my rewards,” Lowndes said. “Luckily, we got that break and I managed to finish it. Having all the lads sprinting over to come celebrate with me meant more than actually scoring.”
The Wildcats took a foothold in conference play with a 1-0 start.
“We needed to come out hard and get that first (conference) win,” junior Steven Stewart said.
Baker looks to continue its success against No. 15- ranked William Jewell College at 3 p.m. Sunday in Liberty, Mo.
“(The William Jewell match) is always a big one. Over the last 10 years it has really blossomed into something special,” Houser said. “The guys feel overlooked a bit. We will find out if we are or if we aren’t quite ready for primetime.”
