9-20-08: STERLING 3 - CCC 0

UNOFFICIAL GAME SUMMARY:

My sources tell me that the first half of the CCC game was uneventful and ended 0 - 0. Finally, with about 15 minutes remaining Jorge Bueso scored, followed five minutes later by a Wes Tom goal after a corner kick, and then Ryan Covey scored a third off a Mladen Bjelica assist for the final score.

Sterling got their first shutout of the season. I understand that Aaron Lawless kept CCC out of the goal the first half with Zach Hallen completing the shutout. Congratulations to all the defenders.
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* * * BREAKING NEWS * * *

KCACsports.com has reported today's score as:

Sterling 3 - Central Christian 0
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2008 TEAM PICTURE

Sterling's website recently added the 2008 team photo.

PREVIEW: STERLING @ CENTRAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

Saturday, September 20th, Sterling travels to Central Christian College in McPherson KS. CCC has recorded 3 wins and 4 losses, with no score yet reported for their match against Ozark Christian.

Central Christian has defeated Southwestern Assemblies of God (1-0), Grace University (5-0) and Nebraska Christian College (9-0), but has lost to Dallas Christian College and Sterling's fellow KCAC members Ottawa (0-4), Tabor (0-2)and McPherson (0-2). CCC has lost the two home games for which I found scores. Sterling stands 2-1 on the road.

When CCC has scored, they have shut out the opponent and won; they have been held scoreless in their losses. Sterling has not yet been shutout, or failed to hold an opponent without a goal.

Sterling's current roster has never lost to CCC, with wins of 1-0 in 2005, 2-1 in 2006 and 4-1 in 2007, following a 0-3 loss in 2004.

9-18-08: STERLING 2 - MCC 1

Sterling has posted the following summary of the victory over Manhattan Christian:

Warriors Win in OT

09/19/2008 - Senior Shawn Sajjadi's goal in the second overtime period proved to be "golden" lifting the Warriors past Manhattan Christian College late Thursday night in Manhattan, KS. With the game tied at 1-1, Ryan Covey was able to get around MCC defender Chris Morrison on the right flank and slotted a perfect ball to Sajjadi who was unmarked at the top of the penalty box. Following a brilliant touch, Sajjadi tucked a blistering shot just inside the left post and into the back of the net for the game-winner.

Sterling College weathered a lively MCC attack in the early stages of the game and was able to strike first on a beautiful goal by Covey that was disallowed as Covey was ruled off-sides. Moments later, Justin Marten's goal was legitimate when he put away a ball that was slipped off the head of Mladen Bjelica from a Jordan Miller throw-in. The Warriors lead lasted until the 43rd minute when Chris Battelli scored the equalizer for the Crusaders, resulting in a 1-1 tie at the half. After numerous chances by both teams, and outstanding goalkeeping on the part of both Zach Hallen (Sterling) and David Ham (MCC) the game was still deadlocked at 1-1 after regulation. The first 10 minute overtime period proved to be more of the same. During the 2 minute break between periods the Warriors talked about taking on the MCC defenders in 1v1 situations. Moments later Covey took it to task as his penetration through the Crusader back line is what resulted in Sajjadi's goal. "This was a fun game tonight. MCC is a very good team and they provide a great atmosphere. We have been talking a lot about playing a full 90 minutes because we haven't been able to put together a complete game. Tonight we played well without any noticeable lulls for 102 minutes. I am very pleased with our effort and the result." said Coach Underwood after the win.

9-18-08: STERLING 2 - MCC 1

I received a text message which indicates that Sterling defeated Manhattan Christian College 2-1 in double overtime.

PREVIEW: STERLING @ MANHATTAN CHRISTIAN

On Thursday, September 18th, Sterling plays Manhattan Christian College in Manhattan KS. MCC is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association or NCCAA (as compared to NAIA or NCAA). Last year they were 23-3 and won the NCAA National Championship. MCC was also NCCAA national champs in 2005.

This year, MCC has won 2 and lost 3, having defeated Colorado Christian University and Asbury College (KY) and lost to Mt. Vernon (OH) Nazarene, McPherson (KS) College of the KCAC and Mid-America Nazarene (KS).

I couldn't find any individual statistics are available for MCC for this season. They have scored 8 goals while giving up 12, and have been shutout twice while winning one shutout.

In 2005, Sterling beat MCC 1-0 in Sterling (a game I attended) and in 2006 Sterling won in Manhattan 3-2. Last year, MCC won in Sterling 3-2.

Here's a link to a map of MCC's soccer field and to the right is a map of the college's location (which appears to be across the street from Kansas State University.

CONFERENCE STATISTICS THRU 9/15

The KCAC statistical leaders lists updated on 9/15 include the following Sterling players:

Points per game: 1st-Ryan Covey, 2nd-Justin Martens, 7th-Jorge Bueso, 9th-Mladen Bjelica, tied 12th-Aaron Baker and Shawn Sajjadi, tied 18th-Dario Villatoro

Goals per game: 1st-Ryan Covey, 2nd-Justin Martens, tied 5th-Jorge Bueso, tied 11th-Dario Villatoro and Aaron Baker

Assists per game: 1st-Shawn Sajjadi, 3rd-Mladen Bjelica, tied 8th-Aaron Baker, tied 15th-Ivan Sanabria, Ryan Covey and Jordan Miller

Goals Against Average: 6th-Zach Hallen

As a team, Sterling ranks 1st in the conference in goals and assists, 4th in shots on goal but only 6th in shots, 8th in goalkeeper saves and 6th in fewest goals allowed.

NATIONAL STATISTICS THRU 9/16

The following Sterling players can be found in the following NAIA national statistics lists:

Points per game: Ryan Covey is tied for 12th
Goals per game: Ryan Covey is tied for 10th, Justin Martens is tied for 18th
Assists per game: Shawn Sajjadi is tied for 2nd, Mladen Bjelica is tied for 19th

NAIA TOP 25-9/16/08

The NAIA Top 25 for September 16 can be found here. The top 5 teams are:


1 Auburn University Montgomery (Ala.)
2 University of Rio Grande (Ohio)
3 Fresno Pacific University (Calif.)
4 Simon Fraser University (B.C.)
5 Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.)

NAIA NATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

The NAIA national players of the week for 9/8-9/14 are:

Offense: Robert Whitnell (Shorter GA) – Senior, Forward
Defense: Howard Fisher (Montreat NC) - Junior, Goalkeeper

9-13-08: MACU 5 - STERLING 2

Sterling's account of the game against MACU in Oklahoma City:

Same Score, Different Result

09/16/2008-After beating MACU 5-2 in the season opener, the Warriors faced the Evangels again on Satruday resulting in the same score, but a very different result. MACU opened up the scoring in the first half on a Brian Jantz goal that was equalized by Ryan Covey moments later. At the end of the first half, Jantz was able to find net again to give the Evangels a 2-1 half-time lead. The first few moments of the second half proved to be disastrous for the Warriors. In the 46th minute Chongo Nevarez launched a shot from 30 yards out that got hung up in the wind and floated into the back of the net just under the cross-bar. Still reeling from the third goal, Sterling wasn't able to regroup and gave up yet another goal a minute later. With nothing to lose, the Warriors pushed forward to try to create some goal-scoring opportunities, resulting in another Covey goal, and a Bueso goal that was disallowed, but the damage done by the Evangels was too great. Warrior coach, Dave Underwood commented about the game, "This was a crazy game, one we would like to immediately put behind us. Clearly, MACU was highly motivated after losing to us a week earlier, and they took it right to us. I think we caught them on an off day when they were at our place, and we had an off day at theirs. They are a good team with some dangerous players who played extremely well."

NAIA'S CONFERENCE RATING

In the latest conference rating by the NAIA, Sterling remained at number 2 in the KCAC, despite the loss to MACU.

1. Friends University (0-0 / 4-1)
2. Sterling College (0-0 / 3-1)
3. McPherson College (0-0 / 2-2)
4. Kansas Wesleyan University (0-0 / 1-4)

KCAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

The KCAC conference players of the week for the week ending 9/13 are James Fox of Bethany College (offensive player) and Michael Mesle of Ottawa University (defensive player).

BOX SCORE: STERLING @ MACU

The box score for the Sterling at Mid America Christian game can be found here.

9-13-08: MACU 5 - STERLING 2

Mid America Christian University's summary of the game Saturday 9-13-08.

Evangels Defeat Sterling College 5-2

9.13.08 - OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- The Evangels got retribution on Saturday afternoon when they defeated Sterling College 5-2 at Evangel Field. While missing starting goalkeeper Austin Custar, the MACU men's team suffered a 5-2 loss to Sterling College one week ago. With Custar back in the lineup and the team playing with the momentum of their latest win they were virtually unstoppable.

Bryce Jantz and Donte Roberti were an force on Saturday afternoon with Jantz scoring 3 goals and Roberti assiting all of them. Jantz scored the first goal of the game in the 17th minute off of a cross from Roberti. Sterling tied the game four minutes later when forward Ryan Covey scored an unassisted goal. Jantz scored his second goal of the match and gave the Evangels the lead going into half time when he capitalized on a cross from Roberti in the 38th minute.

MACU started the second half off well with a goal in the 46th minute of play. Freshman Martin Maese sent a ball to Luis Nevarez who fired a shot from 20 yards out, grabbing the third goal for the Evangels. Just 30 seconds later Maese scored with the help of a pass from Kyle Pezant. Sterling College tried to fight their way back in the game in the 74th minute when Convey netted a goal in the 74th minute. Jantz found the back of the net for a third time off a Roberti cross in the 72nd minute. The Evangels held Sterling College to only two shots on goal. Custar had six saves in the contest.

The Evangels will play their first Sooner Athletic Conference match verses Oklahoma Baptist University on Tuesday, September 16th at 4 p.m.