Chances on goal yield low scoring
By Kristen Smith

Staff Writer

Men's soccer continued Sept. 7 and 8 as the team traveled to the University of Missouri-Rolla to play Northern Kentucky and St. Joseph's College.

The team lost to Northern Kentucky 1-2 and defeated St. Joseph's College 3-0.

"We should have won the first game, but we just couldn't score," said J.P. West, freshman from Broken Arrow, Okla.

Geoff VanDeusen, head coach, is now in his fourth season at Missouri Southern and would like to see the team improve in finishing off their shots.

"We created about 50 chances on goal this past weekend and came up with only four goals," VanDeusen said.

Southern welcomes eight new freshmen to the team this season.

"A lot of the freshmen are showing what they can bring to the team," said Patrick Hill, freshman business marketing major.

VanDeusen said five of the new players are getting significant playing time.

Ian Jajko, in his first time playing college-level soccer, had the opportunity to play a total of 25 minutes in last weekend s game.

"I think we are getting used to the new system and getting better with the new system," Jajko said.

The "new system" consists of repositioning the players on the field compared to the formation was used by VanDeusen last season. The positioning from last year put players in the 4-4-2 formation, listed from back to front as defenders, midfielders and forwards. Now VanDeusen uses the 4-3-3 formation by placing four defenders in back and three midfielders and three forwards up front.

"We have a huge advantage in being a young team, and we have a lot of potential," West said.

More than half of the team is made up of freshmen and sophomore players.

"We need student support," said Bach Zalewski, freshman marketing major.

A home game against University of Indianapolis is set for 7 p.m. Friday. The Lions play another home game at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 when they face the University of Central Arkansas.

"We have always been competitive," VanDeusen said. "Now I would like to see us win a lot of those games that are close."