Coyote Soccer teams post pair of shutouts over Sterling
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

Mother Nature made for an exciting early afternoon of soccer with warm temperatures and a strong sound wind, often in excess of 30 m.p.h., as Kansas Wesleyan shutout Sterling in both women’s and men’s action on Saturday at Martin Stadium.

Heather Muilenburg turns the corner against the Sterling defense en route to scoring one of her two first half goals as the Lady Coyotes beat Sterling 4-0.

KWU WOMEN 4, STERLING 0 – Heather Muilenburg scored season goals No.12 and 13 on the season about one minute apart to help the Lady Coyotes past the Lady Warriors.

Eliana Parada got things started in the 13th minute when he put home a shot off a deflection on a cross from Kat Benton past Sterling’s Erica Mesa.

Then came the Muilenburg show. At the 30:50 mark, Muilenburg took a feed from April Smith to the corner of the six-yard box, and she hit a shot to the far post and in. At the 31:57 mark, Muilenburg struck again, this time on a pass from Parada almost an exact replay of her first goal, sliding it in from the right side past Mesa.

Wesleyan had ample chances to add goals with the aid of the wind in the second half, but only found the net once. Benton had two open looks but could not convert early in the second.

Wesleyan (11-1, 3-0) added its final goal in the 49th minute, when Marylou Casillas scored on a pass into the box from Marina Crittenden. Casillas was surrounded by two other teammates, but she found the ball and slid it in past Mesa.

Kelli Beatty went the distance in goal for the Lady Coyotes, facing no shots on goal and had no saves. Mesa for Sterling (4-6, 2-2) also went the distance, but faced 25 shots, with 12 saves and four goals allowed. The Lady Coyotes easily outshot Sterling 25-3 on the day.

Kansas Wesleyan's Jimi Gleason (center) scores with a header off a throw in from Brandon Rumore in the Coyotes' 3-0 win over Sterling

KWU MEN 3, STERLING 0 – The KWU men scored all its goals in the first half with the aid of the wind, and held on for the 3-0 shutout over Sterling.

Juan Mundo got Wesleyan (6-3-2, 2-0-1) on the board in the 11th minute, when he hit the upper right corner on a free kick from 35 yards out. Less than two minutes later, Gabe Romo had a chance with a wide open net, but hit the cross bar.

Wesleyan found paydirt again when freshman Blake Schwartz found Mario Rodriguez who hit the back of the net in the 25th minute.

The Coyotes’ third goal came from a perfect pass on a throw in by Brandon Rumore. Jimi Gleason headed home Rumore’s throw in past Sterling’s Cory Speed right in front of the goal in the 32nd minute.

KWU switched keepers at the half and substitute Robert Carillo was immediately tested with two quick Sterling shots right out of the gate. The majority of the second half was played in the middle of the field as neither team could make an offensive charge. Sterling (3-7, 1-3) did have several chances with late corner kicks, but the Wesleyan defense was able to clear the ball each time.

Wesleyan outshot the Warriors 15-7, despite Sterling holding the edge in corner kicks 8-6.

Both Coyote Soccer teams are back in action on Wednesday when they host Friends University at Martin Stadium. Kickoff for the women’s match is at 6 p.m., with the men to follow shortly after its conclusion.

-- KWU SI --