9-6-08: STERLING 5 - SAGU 1

After the MACU game Friday evening, KAN, KHC, RKC, Astegman and Cuca went to Lyons KS and ate at a good Mexican restaurant. It rained almost all night and during the day on Saturday, September 6th.

Before the Saturday game, RKC took KAN and KHC on a tour of the town of Sterling. We saw where RKC works, Sterling Lake and where some of his friends live. We ate at Haldon's inside the gas station on the north side of town.

Saturday afternoon, Sterling played Southwestern Assemblies of God University. SAGU had lost to McPherson by a 3-1 score in a game that had to be moved from Hesston's grass field to Bethel College's artificial surface and didn't get started until after 9 pm.

Here is Sterling's summary of the game:

Warriors Win Big and Covey Breaks Record

09/06/2008-The Sterling Warriors men's soccer team scored a barrage of goals in the second half to beat Southwest Assemblies of God University 6-1, but Sterling senior Ryan Covey was the hero of the day. After scoring two goals in the season opener last night, Covey needed only one goal to break the all-time goal-scoring record at Sterling College held by Brandon Winn. Ryan's record breaking goal came in the 79th minute, giving him 40 goals in his career and giving him sole possession of the Sterling record. Upon scoring the goal, Covey was met by congratulatory hugs from his teammates as well as Winn, and was presented with the game ball. When asked about the record, Covey commented, "Obviously, I couldn't break the record without great teammates around me to give me opportunities to score, and I've worked hard to put myself in this position. It's pretty cool to break the record, but I'm relieved it's over. I felt pressure because I think people were expecting it today, and even Brandon flew back earlier from his honeymoon so he could be at the game. So I was glad to get it today. "

The Warriors got on the board early again when senior Shawn Sajjadi found the head of Mladen Bjelica on a corner kick in the 11th minute. Justin Martens got another in the 35th on an assist from Aaron Baker to give Sterling a 2-0 halftime lead. SAGU responded early in the second half when Glorie Ndongala gathered up a loose ball in the box and put it away in the 47th minute. The rest of the game was all Sterling. Martens scored again in the 56th minute on assist by Covey, followed by Covey's record breaking goal in the 79th minute. Jorge Bueso scored in the 82nd minute (assist Sajjadi) and newcomer Dario Villatoro rounded out the scoring in the 87th minute (assist Bjelica).

The Warriors improve to 2-0 and will travel to Nebraska on Wednesday to take on Concordia University.

Here are some photographs I took during the game of action in front of the goal, a foul leading to a yellow card, and the record-breaking goal.

SAGU posted a brief description of the game, which can be found here.

9-5-08: STERLING 5 - MACU 2

KAN and I attended the season-opening game at Sterling. It rained all the way on us from northern Oklahoma to near Sterling, but the weather was clear for the game and the sun even appeared off and on. Here is Sterling's game summary:

Warriors Cruise to 5-2 Win in Season Opener

09/05/2008-The Sterling men's soccer team kicked off the 2008 campaign in fine fashion with a 5-2 win over Mid-America Christian University (Oklahoma City, OK) in game one of the Mr. Tee Classic. The Warriors wasted no time getting on the board when Ryan Covey tucked a full volley just under the crossbar off of Mladen Bjelica's cross in the 3rd minute. Jorge Bueso got into the scoring action in the 20th minute off of Jordan Miller's throw in. Covey broke through for a second goal in the 25th minute (I. Sanabria assist) for a 3-0 lead. Covey's second goal tied him with former Sterling standout, Brandon Winn, for the top spot on the all-time goal scorers list with 39 career goals. Aaron Baker added a fourth goal for Sterling in the 37th minute, to give the Warriors a 4-0 half-time lead.

The Warriors didn't have quite the same offensive punch in the second half, coming up empty on a few good chances, but the Warriors found themselves defending much of the half while the Evangels continued to press. MACU forward Bryce Jantz was able to capitalize twice on mistakes made by Warrior defenders late in the game (65th and 89th minutes). Sterling freshman, Zdravko Gerganoff was able to notch his first goal in the 82nd minute.

Sterling coach David Underwood commented, "Obviously, I'm pleased with five goals, and a solid win, but we are a little disappointed with some mistakes in the back that resulted in two goals for MACU. We came out with great energy tonight, but we aren't as fit as we need to be to sustain that for 90 minutes".

Here is Mid America's summary of the game:

Men's Soccer Drop's First Game in the Mr. Tee Classic

9.5.08 - STERLING,KS- The Mid-America Christian University men's soccer team dropped their first match 5-2 to Sterling College in the Mr. Tee Classic on Friday evening.

The Warrior started strong by scoring in the third minute of play when Ryan Covey scored off a cross from Mladen Bjelica. The Evangels gave up the second goal in the 20th minute; Jorge Bueso scored off a throw in by Jordan Miller. Covey scored his second goal of the night in the 25th minute. In the 37th minute Aaron Baker scored a goal to give Sterling College a confident 4-0 lead at half time.

The Evangels regrouped at half time and came out fighting in the second half. Bryce Jantz put the Evangels on the board in the 65th minute after capitalizing on Sterling defensive errors. The Evangels pressed the Warrior's goal much of the second half. Zdravko Gerganoff scored Sterling's final goal of the night in the 82nd minute. Jantz scored a MACU goal in the 89th minute. Unfortunately, the Evangels ran out of time and the game finished 5-2.