Box Score

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside men's soccer team earned a key Great Lakes Valley Conference victory on Friday with a 1-0 win over Missouri-St. Louis. The Rangers improved to 4-0 at Wood Road Field thanks to a big kick early in the second half. Parkside is now 2-2-1 in conference play (4-2-1 overall) while the Tritons fell to 1-2-2 (2-2-3 overall).

"This was basically a carbon-copy of what we've been doing all year," said head coach Jason Zitzke. "We've just been missing out on putting chances in the back of the net and today we finished one."

The first half displayed just how even these teams were as control, and momentum, swung back in fourth with neither team getting many great looks at the net. UMSL seemingly controlled possession early but things evened out towards the end of the half with the Rangers nearly taking the lead.

In the final minute Parkside had a opportunity in front and eventually finished off the play for an apparent goal. But during the scramble for the ball a foul was called on the Rangers and the match remained scoreless.

That would change just over five minutes into the second half when Parkside earned a free kick just at the top of the box. Kinkade Lo ran a decoy across the ball and Mike Asen stepped up and hammered the ball toward the top left corner of the net. Keeper Tim Boruff leapt high and got a finger on it but a perfectly placed ball by Asen rattled  of the post into the net, bringing the Rangers' bench to its feet for a 1-0 lead.

"It's a restart that we spent a portion of practice working on the other day," said Zitzke. "Asen just hit a beautiful ball. It was a great effort by their keeper but it was just a perfectly placed strike."

From there on out Parkside may have had the match's best opportunity to score.  Jon Gourlay got free for an opportunity in front but an UMSL defender came in to block the ball away and keep the match at 1-0.

UMSL continued to apply the pressure for the final 20 minutes but the Ranger defense was up to the task led by freshman goal Nick Huftalin. He recorded the shutout on three saves and helped preserve the victory.

"Nick Huftalin was just real sound in goal," said Zitzke. "Every cross he came out to get he did a great job and really owned the box."

"Andrew Krenzien also did a great job in back directing things," continued Zitzke. "Coach Osmonovich has been putting in some extra time with the defense. He's been great with them and a lot of the credit for the organization back there goes to him as well."

The Rangers will now look to complete a perfect weekend Sunday afternoon at Wood Road Field. The men will take to the pitch at 2:30 p.m. Sunday against Maryville University.