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Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
Metro came up short once again against regional powerhouse Midwestern State on Sunday at Auraria Field. After crushing last place conference opponent Colorado Christian 8-0 Friday, the Roadrunners blew an early 1-0 lead to lose 4-1, failing to redeem two losses to the rival last season despite outshooting the Mustangs.
"It's kind of tough to play (CCU) right before such a good team," Metro head coach Ken Parsons said. "The shots that you take against Colorado Christian, you can't take against Midwestern."
The team that ended Metro's season by a score of 8-1 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last year is not a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opponent, but the decision on Sunday could have implications in the region and keep Metro from hosting the first round of the NCAAs.
The Roadrunners understood how important it was to come out and try to get a decision at home against the Mustangs. Less than five minutes into the contest, Metro forward Kellen Johnson broke free of the defense on a pass from midfielder Ryan Brooks to score his ninth goal of the season, fifth of the weekend, and put the 'Runners ahead early.
"Five minutes into the game, the last thing I was expecting was to be past the defense and be one-on-one with the keeper," Johnson said. "It was great to score so early, but I missed four or five other opportunities, so it was more bittersweet."
The 1-0 lead lasted until the 15th minute, when MSU midfielder Estevao Alexandre beat Metro keeper Ryan Vickery to tie the game at 1-1.
The Roadrunners' defense couldn't shut the floodgates. Midwestern scored again five minutes later to snatch the game from Metro's grasp. Two more scores in the second half sealed the Mustangs' 4-1 win.
"It seemed like every shot they took would go in," Vickery said. "I felt so helpless some of the time."
The statistics of the matchup tell a very misleading story. Metro took five more shots than MSU, had five fewer fouls, and took four more corner kicks. But the 'Runners only managed to direct six of their 20 shots at goal, the same as the Mustangs.
The lack of accuracy on Metro's part was compounded by the efficiency of MSU. Vickery could only make two saves against the high-powered offense, while Mustangs goalkeeper Shawn Carr thwarted five of Metro's six shots on goal.
The Roadrunners failed to get the upset win, but they did not fail to be upset themselves during their Sept. 26 meeting with RMAC opponent Colorado Christian.
"When forwards and midfielders take out the other team from the beginning, it's really nice," Vickery said.
Metro did not allow CCU to even get in the game, tallying eight goals against three Cougar keepers while Vickery was called on to make just two saves for the shutout.
The matchup quickly turned into a showcase for the Roadrunners' front line. Forward Ola Sandquist opened the scoring in the fifth minute and added a second goal before the day was done. Johnson solidified his status as Metro's 2008 star striker with a four-goal performance, three assisted by Sandquist.
"They certainly are the two most dangerous players we have on the field," Parsons said on the two senior forwards.
The final stats portrayed exactly what had happened, with Metro topping CCU 8-0 on 30 shots, 20 of them on goal. The Cougars managed just four shots and only half caused Vickery concern.
The conference win puts the Roadrunners in a tie at the top of the RMAC with Fort Lewis, both schools posting 3-0-1 conference records ahead of their Oct. 5 meeting. Metro will have to deal first with third place Mesa State Oct. 3, to make the upcoming weekend a sure shakeup for the top of the conference.
Parsons and his players won't forget about Midwestern however, as they might be seeing them once again in the postseason.
"We played them well for a third of the game," Parsons said. "If we can find a way to play that good for all 90 minutes, then we've got a shot at them."
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