Upcoming Schedule:
Saturday, Oct. 29 – vs. Sioux Falls (S.D.); 10:30 am; Fayette, Iowa
Sunday, Oct. 30 – vs. Mary (N.D.); 10:30 am; Fayette, Iowa
Wednesday, Nov. 2 – vs. Rockhurst (Mo.); 2:00 pm; KIRKSVILLE
Full Notes (PDF)
Week At-a-Glance:
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - - With three regular season games left for the 'Dogs, the Truman's men's soccer team look to finish the 2011 campaign on a winning note. The Bulldogs will head back to Fayette, Iowa, not to play Upper Iowa but to compete in the Upper Iowa Invitational. Truman will end its season with an added home match-up against Division II opponent Rockhurst.
In Fayette, Truman will have two match-ups against two teams who are playing each other for the first time in program history. On Oct. 29th, the 'Dogs will face-off against the University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) in a 10:30 am start. 24 hours later, Truman will take the field in a contest against the Marauders of the University of Mary (N.D.)
Then, on Nov. 2nd, the Bulldogs will welcome Rockhurst (Mo.) University to Kirksville for a match-up that will conclude the 2011 season. This will be the 27th contest between the two schools with Rockhurst holding a 12-13-1 edge against the Bulldogs.
Following the Bulldogs:
Full coverage of Truman men's soccer is available online at TrumanBulldogs.com, including results, upcoming game information and weekly updates.
When available, links to free online live stats are added to the Bulldog soccer schedule page as well as the top of each weekly update.
Keep up with the Bulldogs by tracking in-game updates (when available). Follow Truman Athletics on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TrumanAthletics. Also be sure to sign up for TextCaster updates on the Bulldog homepage.
Scouting the Cougars:
For the first time in program history, the Bulldogs will see action against the University of Sioux Falls Cougars at the Upper Iowa Invitational. The Cougars are members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and have posted a 4-7-1 record during the 2011 season.
In 12 games so far this season, Sioux Falls have been outshot 199-135 and outscored 29-21. They hold a .422 shots on goal percentage compared to the .452 mark of their opponents.
Juniors Connor Shefte and Ryan Keohane lead the offense for the Sioux Fall squad, combining for a third of the team's goals scored. Both have played in all 12 contests with Keohane leading the squad in assists with seven and Shefte leading the squad in goals with five. Of the team's 57 total shots on goal this season, these two account for 25 of those shots.
Three opponents from the Cougars schedule match-up with three teams the Bulldogs have either seen, or will see by the end of the season. Their first game of the year was against Rockhurst University, who the Bulldogs will see in their season finale on Nov. 2nd. The Cougars fell in a 0-1 shutout against the Hawks. The second game of their season was against William Jewell College (Mo.). Both Truman and Sioux Falls fell to the Cardinals with Jewell beating the Cougars 2-1 and the 'Dogs 1-0. Then, during the middle of the season, the Cougars faced-off against the University of Mary, where they came out on top in both contests. The 'Dogs will see the Marauders on Day Two of the Upper Iowa Invitational.
Scouting the Marauders:
Along with the University of Sioux Falls, the University of Mary Marauders are Division II members associated with the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The match on Sunday will mark the first ever meeting in program history.
Before their contest with Upper Iowa University at the Upper Iowa Invitational on Saturday, the Marauders have posted a 2-8-2 record. They have been outshot 200-131 and outscored 30-18. The University of Mary holds .450 shots on goal percentage and they are one-for-one on penalty kicks this season.
The Bulldogs will need to keep an eye out for their leading scorer and assist leader Nikola Nikolic. The senior forward has started in nine and played in 10 of the Marauders 12 contests this year, and also leads the team in shots and shots on goal.
Scouting the Hawks:
With two games to go including the first round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament, the Rockhurst Hawks have a solid 12-2-1 record, with a perfect 8-0 record at home. As of October 25th, the Hawks are ranked 10th in the NSCAA Coaches Poll, and third in the Midwest Regional Poll.
During the 2011 campaign, the Hawks have outshot their opponents 277-124 and posted 2.13 goals per game average. The Rockhurst defense has held their opponents to five total goals allowed in 15 games. They are three-for-three in penalty kicks and hold a .466 shot on goal percentage.
Mark Magee acts as the primary offensive leader for the Hawks, racking up 30 total points after starting in all 15 games. The sophomore from Evesham, England leads the team in goals with 10 and assists with 10. So far this season Magee has four game winning goals and is perfect in his two penalty kick attempts.
Goalkeeper Ryan Bass acts as the Hawks primary keeper, notching 45 total saves and has only allowed five goals in 14 games. He holds an 11-2-1 record and has earned nine shutouts this season.
The Bulldogs will look to even out the series match-up as Rockhurst does hold a one game advantage in all of the contests played between the two squads.
Bulldogs vs. USF/UM/RU:
-The Bulldogs have never seen action against the University of Sioux Falls nor the University of Mary.
-The Bulldogs are 2-1 against Rockhurst in the last three years.
-In 2008, Jonny Brown shot three times against the Hawks, with two of those being on goal.
-On September 30th, 2009, Tyler Knierim earned a shutout against Rockhurst with eight saves.
-Ben Hasse scored the only goal in the Oct. 27th contest between Rockhurst and Truman. Tyler Knierim earned another shutout against Rockhurst that day with 10 total saves.
Road Warriors:
The 2011 Bulldogs have spent the majority of the season away from Kirksville, as 12 of the 17 games are either road or neutral site contests. Overall, the 'Dogs have logged around 5,000 miles this season, or, enough to go to Boston, Mass., and back…twice.
