UR men’s soccer team’s roller coaster ride continued over Meliora Weekend. They faced two more University Athletic Association opponents and had mixed results.
On Friday night the Yellowjackets played host to the Case Western Reserve University Spartans. In a dominating 6-0 performance, UR out-shot CWRU 21-1. Junior midfielder Nick Wheeler got things started four minutes after the kickoff with an ambitious cross that found the back of the net. Later in the first half freshman striker Jon Allen found the net for the third time this season, putting away a Wheeler corner kick.
UR came out in the second half firing on all cylinders, scoring four more times, with three of the goals coming from the feet of freshmen. Junior midfielder Ben Cross played the role of provider as he found senior forward Mike Chen and freshman striker Nate Micklos in the box to put UR up 4-0. Freshmen midfielders Damien Hallat and Chris Lee added insurance goals late in the game both were their first tallies of the season. Junior Brian Minehan and sophomore Aaron Bernstein shared the shutout, with Bernstein saving the only shot from the Spartans.
The Yellowjackets faced a daunting challenge on Sunday when the undefeated Tartans of Carnegie Mellon University traveled to Fauver Stadium. UR came out strong as freshman midfielder Jeremy Goico finished off a pass from senior forward Jacques Appleby. They continued to apply pressure but were deflated when the Tartans scored an opportunistic goal on a defensive miscue. Less than five minutes later CMU scored again putting the Yellowjackets on their heels. In an inspired effort, UR fought back to earn a penalty kick through Micklos’ trickery in the box. Appleby converted the penalty to tie the game at 2-2. Junior defender Brandon Laws nearly decided the game with a great shot late in the game. He played a one-two with Appleby but the post came to the rescue of CMU goalie Dave Thomas. Regulation time finished with a tie and the teams were forced to settle matters in overtime.
In overtime, UR had more chances but once again CMU scored against the run of play. The Tartans earned a free kick, which was headed in for the game winning goal. Head coach Chris Apple commented, “This was a bitter pill to swallow ? it is unfortunate to outplay a team and lose. We outshot them 8-2 in the second half, but couldn’t capitalize.”
The Yellowjackets now stand at 7-3-1 ? and 2-2 in the UAA. With their two conference losses it will be tough for the Yellowjackets to win the UAA and they are focusing their post-season hopes for an at-large bid for the NCAA tournament. Apple said, “We are still going to train hard and prepare for each game.”
St. Lawrence the region’s number one team comes to UR on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
White can be reached atjwhite@campustimes.org.
