The Master's men's soccer team went on the road to take on a UC Merced Bobcats team receiving votes in the most recent NAIA Top 25 poll.
They deserve it.
The Mustangs lost 4-1 to the Bobcats, getting out shot 14-7 with eight of those 14 shots on goal.
It started off promising. After UCM opened the scoring at the 3:01 mark,
Theo Kudlo netted his first goal of the season 10 minutes later to tie the game at 1-1.
"We did some good things in the first half and had some momentum with a few nice chances in the second half, but just hit a wall," said TMU Head Coach Jim Rickard.
The Bobcats then scored in the 24th, 77th and 81st minutes to get the 4-1 win.
"We completely fell apart," Rickard said. "The goals scored against us had such a negative effect we couldn't recover."
The loss puts the Mustangs at 0-4 to start the season, and with the start of conference play in nine days, Coach Rickard is not sure if the team is ready.
"What I'm asking for and demanding seems to not be resonating," he said. "Things don't get any easier with the start of GSAC. We are basically playing the top four teams in the first four games, one at home and three away. We will take the next nine days and do our best to figure it out."
That first match will be at home on Thursday, Sept. 19 when The Master's will take on the Embry-Riddle Eagles. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
