Missouri State Bears – 5
UMKC Kangaroos – 2
So my sister calls me this evening, she needs a knock knock joke for her six year old son to use on his rounds tonight. I offer *cuts to chase* Ben, Ben who? Ben knocking on this door so long my knuckles hurt!
The same could be said of our favorite Division I men’s program in town, with the door a figurative one across the face of the goalmouth this season. The Kangaroo’s wasted no time answering the knock, and passing out treats for the Bears, when six minutes in Kyle Windmueller nodded in a header from Yannick Joseph’s cross. Freshman Tyson Streibel scored his first goal as Bear in the 20th minute and things seemed as if they would be simple. It’s Halloween though, so there was plenty left to keep the fans in their seats this evening.
It looked like they had escaped when in the 29th minute, a whistle on a foul just outside the box negated what was almost a goal as Brian Harris’ follow on shot went off the left upright. However, on the ensuing direct kick, freshman John Bayron Sosa put a beautiful shot over the wall and into the near corner past a diving keeper.
Sophomore Ryan Hennessey got the Bear’s third goal in the 41st as Noah got involved again, this time starting a play deep in the Bear’s end with a back pass to Kenny B. Kenny’s return pass sent Yannick down the left side where he won a foot race and a battle in the corner with Josh White. A simple pass back to a trailing Justin Alford and the soft cross across the box found a charging Hennessey who headed in his 4th goal of the season. Johannes Demarzi would get the 4th goal in 53rd minute and then one of the more interesting side stories this year came into play.
Turns out Mama & Papa Cooper (pictured above) have not one, but two Division I players, with senior Captain Andy Cooper of the Bears playing this evening against his brother Ken Cooper, freshman goalkeeper for the ‘Roos. Cooper was All-State and All-Midwest last season for the Oakville Tigers, where his team lost to my nephew’s Lafayette Lancer’s squad in the semifinals at State. Click on the link for a few photos from that match.
Tonight’s game was the first time the brothers have had the opportunity to play in a competitive game together, albeit on opposing teams. The Bear’s final goal was scored by older brother Andy, in the 65th minute, after a cross when Andy picked up a loose ball and got off the shot. It was Andy’s 3rd goal this season and he enjoyed it. Anyone want to be at that holiday dinner 🙂
There were tricks involved this evening as well. The Kangaroo’s got a second goal in stoppage time from another set piece, this one taken by leading scorer Bryan Perez. So there was no coaxing a smile from Coach Leamy or Seabolt this evening, with a pair of Conference games remaining.
Time to wrap up this Halloween-induced stream of consciousness with some good news (besides the fact I’m finishing this thing). The Bears are taking a cue from last year’s Creighton game and are planning on opening up the skybox suites for sale for the final regular season home game Saturday November 10th against Drake. Consider bringing your team out, with the weather we’ve had it could be the frosting on the cake of your season. More information will follow. For the well organized among you, call the Bears Soccer office at (417) 836-5243 for more information.
