KIRKSVILLE, Mo.—Following a draw at nationally ranked Maryville, the Truman men's soccer team returns home for their final four matches of the season. This weekend the Southern Indiana Eagles and the McKendree Bearcats will visit Truman Soccer Park.
SIU visits Kirksville for the second straight year, last year the two teams played to a scoreless draw. Prior to that, SIU had won three straight in the series—with Truman only getting on the board once. The Bulldogs have not defeated SIU as members of the GLVC—the last time that Truman defeated SIU was a 1-0 win in 2007. In five matches against McKendree, Truman has won four of five overall with their only loss coming last year on the road 2-0.
Goalkeeper Julian Echeverri recorded his second career shutout in the draw with nationally ranked Maryville last Sunday. The Bogata, Colombia native has allowed just three goals in the last four matches. The draw came on the heels of a 2-1 loss in Rolla to Missouri S&T last Friday. Matt Yankowitz enters the game with ten points on the season and can still catch his junior year mark of 16 points. With another goal he can match his junior year total of six goals.
USI comes in with a record of 5-5-3, and unbeaten in their last three matches. Eric Ramirez leads the team with five goals and 13 points. The senior forward comes in with goals in his last four games, which include wins over Illinois Springfield and Lewis. In net Justin Faas comes in sixth in the GLVC in goals against average at just .83 goals against per game and is second in save percentage at .826.
McKendree comes in ranked 19th in the national poll. After dropping their season opener to Saginaw Valley State, they have gone unbeaten in 12 straight matches; with 9 straight wins. James Stone leads the team with eight goals (tied for fifth most in the GLVC) and is tied for the team lead with five assists (tied for second most in the GLVC). Pachu Cortazar has started the last five matches in net and kept all five opponents off the board.
The team will be back at home for the final weekend of the regular season when they take on Missouri-St. Louis and then Lindenwood on Senior Day.
