Inexperience Shows in Argo Soccer Loss to #8 Pioneers
ABERDEEN, S.D. – Mid-America Nazarene entered the game as the eighth ranked team in the country with two wins already under its belt. The University of Providence entered the game unranked and was playing its season opener. Each team played like its profile suggested in UP's first contest of the 2017 season as the young Argos lost 6-1 to the #8 team in the country.
The Pioneers controlled the game from start, barely allowing UP to cross the half with the ball for the first 10-15 minutes. The Argo back four, which featured three first-time starters, two newcomers, and one freshman while playing without injured team captain Rasmus Madsenstruggled to stay organized.
"Our youth showed today. We lacked composure all throughout the match and we never established our style of soccer," Head Coach Joseph Yeisley said. "When you play that caliber of team you must be composed and execute your game plan. Today is a hard lesson for this young team but we need to learn quickly."
During the completely one-sided first 15 minutes, the Pioneers scored their first goal.
UP got off its first shot in the 15th minute from left back Dylan Bird. The Argos got off 3 more shots in the next five minutes including 2 shots on goal from senior forward Christopher Chavez. MNU got off a few shots on goal of its own in that span of time and soon broke through again.
By the 43rd minute the score stood at 4-0 Pioneers, but before the half was over the Argos scored their first goal of the season. The score came from team captain Christoffer Bisbo off of an assist from fellow senior forward Christopher Chavez in the 44th minute.
MNU wasted little time putting the pressure back on the UP defense in the second half, forcing Argo goalkeeper Marc Girones to make 4 saves in the first 10 minutes of play. The Pioneers continued to control play for the rest of the game, eventually extending the lead to 6-1 including a penalty kick.
Bisbo and Chavez were the only Argos to register shots on goal, with each getting 2. While Girones was scored on 6 times, it could have been a lot more. The junior goalkeeper ended the game with 8 saves.
UP is 0-1 to start the season for the third straight year, but in each of the previous two seasons, the Argos finished the year in the Cascade Collegiate Conference Championship Game. Next for the Argos will be (RV) McPherson College at Noon on Monday, September 4.