Master's Can't Overcome Two First Half Goals

It was great pressure combined with incredible speed that proved too much as Master's men's soccer fell to the visiting Hope International Royals 2-0 Thursday at Reese Field in Santa Clarita.

Eleven first half shots for the Royals compared to two for the Mustangs (2-8-2) netted two goals in the 32nd minute and the 40th minute. TMU turned up the pressure in the second half, matching the Royals seven shots, but nothing found the back of the net.

"We did a lot of good things," said Head Coach Jim Rickard. "We had pressure in the back and connected well in the midfield. But they broke us down probably a half dozen times. The teams we are playing are doing a little bit more... that little extra step, that extra speed, a little better timing on the pass, a little better on everything. There were a lot of things I was proud of my team for, and a lot of things we need to build on."

Kian Bensend was once again a bright spot in goal. He is credited with eight saves in the match, but may of those saves were spectacular as he faced several shots from close range.

"I thought Kian did a great job with some big saves," Rickard said. "The goals were unfortunate but he kept us in the game and allowed us to put pressure on in the second half."
 
Giorgio Martino had a team-high five shots followed by Prince Chinganchele with two and both Caden Deck and Kai Terentieff with one each. But of the nine total shots, only three were on goal.

"We had a lot of our shots go high which is consistent of pressing," Rickard said. "We did have some open shots but didn't hit any of them well."

After the game, Rickard mentioned several players he was pleased with, starting with Chingancheke.

"I thought he really showed his abilities. We need a guy who breaks teams down, and Prince can do that," he said. "I thought David Cloar was very consistent and very solid. I thought Michael (Nachfoerg) and Kristjan (Reci) did well defensively, especially covering the absence of Robert (Castro, who has been injured). And Theo had another solid game."

While acknowledging his team has played arguably the best four teams in the conference, Rickard knows it's getting the win that inspires his players.

"They haven't had a lot to feel confident about, especially with results," he said. "I think we are a better team than last year, but the teams in our conference are better too."