Box Score The Regis University Rangers men's soccer program earned its second win of the season on Sunday, September 4th. The Rangers overcame a slow first half to beat the Upper Iowa Peacocks 3-0.
It was a scoreless first half for both teams. In the 26th minute down, Upper Iowa had a threatening position on the Rangers, but junior defender Taylor Diem hustled Iowa's senior forward Derek Oelmann out of the shot, keeping them scoreless. Senior goalie Ben Sabados stopped Oelmann again in the 20th minute of play.
The second half proved to be more exciting for the Regis fans as blue and gold scored first. Senior forward Kyle Emge dribbled through the defense in the 65th minute of play and sent the ball towards the goal. Iowa's goalie got a finger on the ball, but Emge's ball stayed true to the back of the net as a birthday present for the senior.
On the day, Emge said "the boys played hard. We started slow, but were able to string some combination goals in the second half."
Things got heated for both teams on the pitch shortly after the first goal, resulting in a red and two yellow cards being given to the Upper Iowa team. Regis received one yellow card as well.
Fueled by the clash between teams, junior midfielder Stephen Reed readied himself for the free kick just past the 18 yard box. The ball Reed sent toward the goal in the 71st minute of play went untouched by the Upper Iowa defense for Regis' second goal of the game.
The Ranger offense would not stop there however as senior forward Ben Buhler headed a ball into the goal in the 78th minute. Sophomore midfielder Joel Mitchell served the ball up, banking it off the crossbar and sending it back into play. Buhler was there to receive the header off the crossbar putting the score at 3-0 Regis.
Head coach Tony McCall said "I'm happy with the result, but the performance left something to be desired. Upper Iowa made it difficult in the first half and it took time to get us in stride." He went on to say "there was no question we were in control, but we didn't play at the pace we like to be."
He finished by saying "freshman got some quality time in the first half which we'll hold in good stead for the future."
The Regis defense allowed only five shots to Upper Iowa, none of which were on goal. The offense for the Rangers shot 31 times, 12 of which were on goal and three that scored. The only assist on the day by Mitchell in the second half.
Senior goalkeep Ben Sabados will receive the win for the match.
