By Central Christian College of Kansas Athletics
North Newton, Kan. (ccctigers.com) – The Central Christian College men’s soccer team remained perfect on the year, going on the road Wednesday evening, and coming home with a 1-0 win over the Bethel College Threshers.
The only score of the game came in the 29th minute of the opening half. Marco Cherchi (So. Fontaneto D’Agogna, Italy) received a ball down the left side. Just past the 18 yard box, he cut the ball back to his right foot and played a ball through a seam to Francisco Leite (Sr. Porto, Portugal) who was wide open at the top of the 18. Leite collected the ball and with his second touch, fired a ball with his left foot upper 90, far post.
The Tigers and Threshers played the final 15 minutes of the first half, and all 45 minutes of the second to a draw. Rodolfo Rodriguez (Jr. Mission Viejo, Calif.) collected just one save in goal, in route to his first clean sheet as the Tigers’ net minder.
Coach Hoxie summed up the evening saying, “Was an interesting game for sure. I felt like we were the better team, by a significant margin in the first 45. Had a goal called back for a dubious offside, and of course got the game winner during g this spell, but I think we need to do more in the attacking 1/3 when we are on top of the game. Second half, they were much better. Largely due to the fact that we couldn’t get the right amount of pressure on the ball higher up, and they eventually took control.”
“For me, the first half is what we could be, but the second half is who we are. It’s commitment, organization, dedication to a cause, it’s a desire for each other. Day in and day out, year in year out, who we are remains a constant…a standard unwavering.”
“Credit where credit is due, Coach Luka made some key halftime adjustments, and out coached me out of the break. I didn’t adjust and he had us scrambling all over the place. However, our bench came in during this phase and absolutely changed the half for us. They righted the ship. We never really gained the ball back, but they never really threatened after that. It was just us doing what we do, hoping no one swung and missed along the way.”
“Overall, very proud of the kids. They battled an absolute grinder. I gave up on style wins a long time ago. College soccer is about setting a standard, and then achieving it. It’s ugly, what we do, yet so beautiful when these men commit.”
The Tigers will be on the road Friday, in a neutral site match down in Siloam Springs, Arkansas where they will take on the University of Jamestown Jimmies. Kick-off is slated for 7:00 pm.
