Chingancheke makes bright return in Mustang defeat

The final result didn't quite work in the favor of TMU Men's Soccer in a 2-1 home defeat to San Diego Christian on Saturday afternoon.

But the Mustangs received a huge boost with the return of playmaker Prince Chingancheke, who missed most of his first two seasons in a TMU uniform with separate season-ending injuries.
 
"One big bright spot was the return of Prince," Master's Head Coach Jim Rickard said. "He was instrumental in the first goal and drew a late-game PK."
 
After the Hawks took advantage of a Mustang defensive miscue in the eighth minute to take the lead, Chingancheke was summoned to make his season debut late in the first half.
 
With his first touch of the ball, he turned his defender and played a through ball to left back Michael Nachfoerg, whose service was met by a charging Giorgio Martino to tie the game in the 40th minute.
 
Chingancheke's headed effort five minutes into the second half forced a save, before the visitors then regained the lead in the 67th minute.
 
The Mustangs ventured forward in search of an equalizer, with Corny Miller being sent through at goal eight minutes from time. Miller's shot was saved by an onrushing Hawks' goalkeeper, with Aidan Rohde's follow-up also being saved. The ball found its way to Peter Mackay, only for his shot to be blocked by the opposing defense.
 
Theo Kudlo then got on the end of a Caden Zierenberg corner a few minutes later, but his back-post header was sent narrowly wide.
 
TMU's best chance to tie the game for a second time came with just under four minutes remaining, when Chingancheke was brought down just inside the 18-yard box to earn the Mustangs a penalty kick.
 
However, the Hawks' goalkeeper made a spectacular diving save on the ensuing spot kick to preserve the victory for San Diego Christian.
 
"We really battled today against a dangerous team who needed a GSAC win," Rickard said. "We gave ourselves quality opportunities and just didn't finish them."
 
Master's (4-5-1 overall, 1-1 GSAC) returns to conference play on Saturday at Hope International, ranked 25th in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll.
 
"Each GSAC game is going to come down to the smallest of margins and moments," Rickard said. "SDCC did just enough in those moments to pull out the win."