TMU Men's Soccer falls inches short against Hope International

The Master's University men's soccer team came inches away from equalizing but could not find the back of the net in a 1-0 defeat to Hope International on Wednesday afternoon on Reese Field.
 
The Mustangs went behind 24 minutes into the game after Hope International converted a penalty kick, but TMU came close to forcing overtime on multiple occasions in the second half.
 
Master's (0-2-1) came closest to scoring in the 70th minute after Prince Chingancheke was brought down just outside the 18. Theo Kudlo's ensuing free kick then struck the far-right post and deflected away from goal.
 
Then Michael Nachfoerg almost produced late drama, but a fully outstretched save prevented the Mustangs from equalizing just two minutes from the final whistle.
 
Those two efforts were part of a second half that saw seven TMU shots compared to just one in the first half.
 
"We struggled in the first half getting any kind of rhythm," Master's head coach Jim Rickard said. "I feel that was my fault because I changed up our defensive scheme yesterday with little time to practice it."
 
Rickard credited Armando Torres for TMU's improved second-half display.
 
"I was very impressed with Armando and the leadership he brought to the midfield in the second half," Rickard said. "His passing accuracy and defense got us going offensively."
 
Although TMU played against Hope International (1-0), a Golden State Athletic Conference opponent, Wednesday's game did not count toward the GSAC standings.
 
"These kinds of games help me see adjustments that we need to make and weaknesses that we have," Rickard said. "I've got a solid group, but many have to get more games and experience in the GSAC."
 
The Mustangs will get just that next week, when Master's is scheduled to begin conference play on Reese Field against William Jessup on Feb. 25 at 12:30 p.m. No fans will be allowed to watch the game, but the conference contest will be broadcast at: GoMustangs.com/Watch.