Rodriguez and Beatty earn NAIA Region IV honors
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

Beatty

Rodriguez

LINDSBORG – Mario Rodriguez and Kelli Beatty have earned NAIA Region IV Soccer Player of the Week honors for their efforts in helping Kansas Wesleyan go a combined 4-0 in men’s and women’s soccer action last week.

Rodriguez, a junior forward from Diamond Bar, Calif., had a total of four goals in the two matches last week. In the 5-3 win over Friends, Rodriguez scored twice. The first goal came just over two minutes after Friends took a 1-0 lead, and his second put Wesleyan ahead 5-3 as the Coyotes knocked off the then undefeated Falcons.  Against McPherson, Rodriguez scored the only goal in the first half as Wesleyan led 1-0 at the break, and then scored the first of two second half goals by the Coyotes as KWU knocked off McPherson 3-0 on Saturday night.

The Coyote men moved into sole possession of first place in the KCAC and earned a No.2 ranking in the latest NAIA Region IV poll after knocking off Friends 5-3 and McPherson 3-0. Wesleyan gave Friends its first loss of the season on Wednesday, and handed McPherson its first KCAC loss of the season on Saturday night in McPherson.

In two matches this week, Beatty had only one save and no goals allowed in 180 minutes. Against Friends in a 6-0 win and shutout for Beatty, she had no saves in no shots on goal. Against McPherson, Beatty went the distance in goal, facing just one shot on goal and having one save as the Lady Coyotes shutout the Lady Bulldogs 3-0, handing McPherson its first KCAC loss of the season.

It marks the third time Beatty has earned the honor this season.

For the season, KWU has only allowed five goals, one in KCAC play. Beatty is a perfect 13-0 in goal and has recorded six shutouts. In KCAC play, she has recorded three shutouts and has yet to allow a goal.

The Kansas Wesleyan women sport a KCAC-best 5-0 record in conference play and is 13-1 overall. The Lady Coyotes are ranked No.1 in NAIA Region IV and continue to receive votes in the latest NAIA National Poll.

The Coyotes are back in action on Wednesday, when they host Ottawa. The women’s match is scheduled for a 6:00 kickoff with the men to follow.

-- KWU SI –-