The Baker University men’s soccer team made the most of its road trip to Salt Lake City by winning both matches with 1-0 counts against Westminster College and Rocky Mountain College, respectively.
The goals were scored by junior Odaine Sinclair against Westminster and sophomore Andy Griffin against Rocky Mountain College. Griffin was pleased to get the game-winning goal.
“I was just running into the box and (senior Tom Lowndes) was able to slip it all the way through to back post where I made my run, and I was able to just hit it in,” Griffin said. “I guess you could say it was kind of a textbook play.”
The defense was not to be outdone, as sophomore Matt Bickley collected his first career shutout against Westminster with four saves.
“It felt good to get out there and play again,” Bickley said. “The backline’s so solid and midfield and everything, and so it was good to have a good group of guys out there in front of me.”
Senior Michael Sheridan got his turn as the goalkeeper Sunday against Rocky Mountain College and did not disappoint. Sheridan recorded a shutout as well while tallying two saves in the match.
Head coach Nate Houser believed that the adversity of a long drive, new teams and tough weather conditions really helped bring the team together for the start of the season.
“For me, I always believe hard work and adversity are better ways to bond,” Houser said. “We can all hold hands and sing Kumbaya all the time and that’s great, but you never see who you’re standing next to until you have to work hard and be uncomfortable together.”
In the never-ending search to improve, however, the coaches do believe that the team has room to grow in a couple of areas.
“I think concentrating in the final third and finishing with conviction,” assistant coach Davy Phillips said. “I thought that was one thing and I’d say organization in the midfield. We’ve got great athletes that are able to close down space. We just need to continue to work on our organization a bit.”
The ‘Cats now shift their attention to Park University, who is 1-0 after getting a 2-0 road victory over Midland University. Phillips knows there is work to do to prepare for the Pirates.
“Park is always, on the men’s side, internationally driven and they love having the ball,” Phillips said. “For us, it’s about tightening up. Like I said, organization in the midfield’s going to be crucial.”
The ‘Cats take on Park at 7 p.m. Friday in Parkville, Mo., and then return to play their home opener against Columbia College at 5 p.m. Saturday at North Park.
