The University News

Issue date: 4/6/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Derek Simons Sophomore goalkeeper Ken Cooper left S&T's forward up in the air on a corner kick.

Even if it was just an afternoon of friendly off-season games, the UMKC soccer team took Saturday's two matches seriously, winning both by a 2-1 score.

It was a good warm-up for today's 2:30 p.m. match against the Kansas City Wizards at Swope Park.

In his first game for the Roos, Leavenworth, Kan., native Jimmy Simon, a recent transfer from Rutgers University, scored against Missouri University of Science and Technology (S&T).

The indomitable Bryan Perez sealed the game on a free kick in the second half.

Perez doubled his tally in the second game against Rockhurst University, with the other goal coming from Jimmy Hangyal.

Against the Wizards, Head Coach Rick Benben showed confidence in his Summit League champions.

"I'm sure it will be competitive," he said. "I don't know what the score will be, but …"

The Roos looked a little open on the flanks against S&T, with frequent incursions on the wings and crosses arriving a bit too frequently.

Benben attributed the open spaces to the team's first time on the field in 11 and a 3-5-2 formation.

"We only played with three in the back, so it really leaves the other team a lot of room to maneuver into," he said. "We just found ourselves getting pushed up a little too far."

According to the coach, the Roos don't use an intentional offside trap, a technique which, when it functions, can shut down an opponent's offense but when it fails can leave huge breaches in front of the goal.

The ball handling seemed solid, with most Roos playing a one or two-touch game.

"I think we passed the ball pretty well for a first time out and we kept possession," Benben said. "We really try to keep the ball moving, so a lot of that revolves around Perez and [John Bayron] Sosa."

Perez and Sosa share midfielder duties and the role of playmaker, but Benben said Sosa sacrifices himself on forward incursions so Perez can let loose.

"We can't have both of them pulling all the time," Benben said. "Bayron gives Bryan the opportunity to go out more. Bayron has the same type of qualities, but he is a little bit different. He can probably shoot the ball a little bit better than Perez, a little more powerful. Perez is probably a little trickier, better against people in the one-on-one."

The team is training every day to defend its title this fall.

"I think we have a strong, experienced nucleus," Benben said. "I think the guys are all committed to having a good team and they all demonstrate that to us every day. Our expectation is for a really good season."

The pressure of defending a title doesn't seem to phase Benben.

"We understand it's a big challenge," he said. "But at the same time, there's no reason for us not to be confident in what we've done and where we can go."

dsimons@unews.com

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