Rangers Score Big in Carbon Copy Opener
UWP Sports Information
Box Score
SOMERS, Wis. - After a 2-2 stalemate at the University of Wisconsin and a 4-1 loss at Marquette University in the pre-season, the UW-Parkside men’s soccer team kicked off the 2010 season with a victory over visiting Calumet College of Saint Joseph Thursday afternoon at Wood Road Field. The team is shooting for its 31st consecutive winning season and 27th under head coach Rick Kilps.
The Rangers, who topped the Crimson Wave, 6-0, in last year’s season opener, earned the exact same result this year with an en core 6-zip win.
“After playing some Division I opponents in the pre-season, it was nice for us to move the ball around, score some goals, and feel good about ourselves,” said UW-Parkside associate head coach Jason Zitzke.
Calumet College of Saint Joseph, an NAIA affiliate, could muster only three shots on goal in the contest. The Rangers fired 18 shots on net.
“We got a rhythm going and we’re trying to get more continuity out of the back line,” explained Zitzke.
Parkside held a convincing 4-0 advantage at halftime on a beautiful 75-degree late afternoon. Ben Kreple, coming off a medical redshirt from last season, opened the 2010 campaign with what turned out to be the game-winner. It came via a penalty kick 11:32 into the non-conference clash.
Jon Bebeau scored the hat trick for the Rangers, tallying the second, third and final goal of the contest.
Other Ranger scorers included newcomer Carlos Contreras and Collin Monahan.
The Rangers switched up goalkeepers in the game. Ryan Onwukwe got the nod for the first 45 minutes, making two saves. Palani Apuakehau manned the crease in the second half, turning away one Crimson Wave shot.
“Everybody got to play, so it was good in that we got to see people in a regular season game,” added Zitzke.
The Rangers return to action Thursday, Sept. 2, when they host Robert Morris of Chicago at noon. Great Lakes Valley Conference play begins in Rolla, Missouri against Missouri S&T Sunday, Sept. 5.