Box Score

Even UW-Parkside men's head soccer coach Rick Kilps had to admit the turnaround time from Game 1 on the 2009 schedule to Game 2 might have been a bit brief. After defeating St. Joseph College of Calumet (6-0) on a late Thursday night on the campus of Marquette University, his team took on visiting St. Francis at Kenosha's Ameche Field, just 15 hours after the opener concluded.

Still, the Rangers persevered and came through with a 3-0 victory.

"The schedule was a snafu on my part, but our players dug deep and battled through it," said a candid Kilps. "They handled the fatigue and heavy legs."

Cyril Simmons made sure the Rangers played from the lead. He scored 9:44 into the game with an assist from Tim Thao. That score held up at halftime.

"Not one player complained about the quick turnaround, but it was evident that it was a factor," said Kilps. "This game was a testiment to their will to win."

The Rangers tacked on in the second half. Freshman Austin Robb tallied on an assist from Johnson Thoa off of a corner kick at 71:45 to give the Rangers some breathing room. Collin Monahan sealed the deal on his birthday with a determined individual effort in front of the net, scoring at 88:42.

Greg Fischer posted the shutout in the crease for the Rangers. He turned away four Fighting Saints' shots. Parkside was credited with nine shots on net.

"This wasn't a pretty game,"  said Kilps, now in his 26th year at the helm. "But, a win is a win is a win, and based on the circumstances, we'll take it."

The Rangers will host Robert Morris (Chicago) Monday, Aug. 31, at 4:30 p.m. The team opens Great Lakes Valley Conference play at UW-Parkside's Wood Road Field Friday, Sept. 4, at 3:30 p.m. Missouri S&T will be the initial league opponent.