Battle tested Coyotes open KCAC play with sweep of Sterling
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

Kansas Wesleyan’s soccer teams opened KCAC play with a pair of wins over Sterling College on Saturday in Sterling. The women posted a 5-0 win, while the men came away with a 3-0 decision over the Warriors.

Wesleyan’s teams wrapped up one of the most difficult non-conference slates of any school in the conference on Wednesday at nationally ranked Park. The Coyote women faced five teams that were ranked inside the NAIA Top 25 at one point during the year, and the men have faced several teams that have also been ranked at one point or another, including the 2006 national champions in Graceland University.

“Our very, very difficult non-conference schedule has gotten us prepared for the conference,” head coach Mike Dibbini. “We are a stronger team after facing this incredible competition.”

The Coyote women entered Saturday’s match with a 3-5-1 record, but also had to deal with injuries throughout the non-conference season.

It took a majority of the first half for the Coyotes to settle into a groove, and then the goals started coming. Freshman Hannah Kern scored off a pass from Heather Muilenburg to put the Coyotes up with four minutes left in the first half.

After the break the Coyotes scored four more, as senior Kat Benton put the first home in the 61st minute and Muilenburg scored back-to-back goals in two-and-a-half minutes to put Wesleyan ahead 4-0. Holly Fulton then scored her second goal of the season in the 68th to cap the scoring. Benton also assisted on the final two goals.

Freshman Kjerstin Stupey got her first collegiate start in goal for Wesleyan and did not give up a goal in the match, recording one save.

Jose Garay scored twice and assisted on KWU’s other goal as the men picked up the 3-0 win over Sterling. Wesleyan controlled the match offensively, outshooting the Warriors 25-8 in the match.

Garay’s first score came at the 21-minute mark when he took a feed from Mario Rodriguez and found the net. Garay got goal number two in the 41st minute and then assisted on Marlon Beach’s score in the 48th minute.

“It was a good start to our conference season,” Dibbini said. “Both teams played well today, and I hope the trend continues the rest of the season.”

Wesleyan will host Bethel College on Wednesday. The matches will be played at the Salina Soccer Complex on East Magnolia Street. The women’s match will begin at 1 p.m., followed by the men at about 3 p.m. The Coyotes then will host McPherson College on Saturday as part of Homecoming 2008 at Salina Stadium. The women’s match will begin at 6 p.m., with the men to follow at about 8 p.m.

-- KWU SI --