Men’s Soccer gets big win over Friends
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

Jimi Gleason converts a penalty kick for the game winning goal as the Coyotes broke a late 3-3 tie and held on for a 5-3 win over Friends

Jimi Gleason scored on a penalty kick and Mario Rodriguez scored with 3:16 left in the match as the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes broke out of a 3-3 tie and held on for a 5-3 wins over then conference leading Friends on Wednesday night at Martin Stadium.

The win for the men boosts them into first place in the conference at 3-0-1, while Friends falls into a tie for second with McPherson, as they are both 3-1 in KCAC play.

Friends got on the board first in the eighth minute when Daniel French scored past Wesleyan keeper Robert Carillo.

The Coyotes answered with an equalizing goal a minute and a half later when Mario Rodriguez would score the first of two goals on the night on a pass from Miguel Wenceslao.

Wesleyan would take the lead in the 13th minute when Jose Garay would play the rebound of a shot by Wenceslao that was blocked and find the back of the net.

Wenceslao would score in the 35th minute to give the Coyotes a 3-1 lead when Garay would head a ball back to him and he would find the back of the net past Friends keeper Chris O’Hearn.

Less that 30 second later, Friends would lose its top goal scorer when Kevin Ten Eyck was given a red card for a hit on Wesleyan keeper Carillo.

The Falcons would get back within one just before the half. Corey Wynn would find a wide open Brandon Rhodes who went one-on-one with Carillo and put the ball in the lower right corner of the net in the 42nd minute. Wesleyan had a couple chances to answer but shots by Rashaun Thompson and Brandon Rumore were both high.

Friends (8-1-1, 3-1) would play the entire second half down a player in Ten Eyck’s absence, but the Coyotes were unable to take advantage until late in the half.

The Falcons would tie things up in the 72nd when Wynn would score on a pass from Tyler Mitchell. Wynn played the ball just outside the left post and found an opening past Carillo on the left side.

Less than four minutes later the Falcons would be called for a hand ball inside the penalty box, setting up a penalty kick by Gleason. His shot would rocket past O’Hearn and the Coyotes would again lead 4-3.

The excitement was just building as both teams had several shots at goal but could not convert. Wenceslao had a shot at a wide open net at 86:14 but could connect. Rodriguez would get his second goal of the night at the 86:44 mark when he played a ball from Garay and found the net giving the Coyotes a 5-3 lead.

Jayro Martinez would have a chance just over a minute later to score again but O’Hearn would make a great diving save on the ball.

Carillo went the distance in goal to pick up the win for the Coyotes, who improve to 7-3-2 overall. He would give up three goals on just four shots on goal. Wesleyan was led by Rodriguez’ two goals, while Wenceslao and Garay each had two assists.

The Coyotes return to action on Saturday as they are on the road at McPherson. The Coyotes then return home one week from tonight to face Ottawa.

-- KWU SI --