Soccer team sits at .500

By: Ian Van Anden
Sports Editor

Despite their .500 record the Scots’ soccer team’s attitude is monumentally different, according to sophomore midfielder Matt Montgomery. Sophomore Dustin Looney says, “We are playing as a team this year; that attitude was absent last year.”

Montgomery attributes much of the attitude change to the team’s new coach, George Perry. Perry has changed how the team is organized, encouraging a team concept.

The squad opened the season with two consecutive victories. First the Scots beat Cornell 3-2 in the season opener; then the Scots won their home opener over MacMurray College 2-0.

After losing two straight to Mt. Mercy, 2-1, and then to Central, 5-0, the Scots beat Coe College 2-1. This past Wednesday, Sept. 20, the Scots fell to Grinnell College 1-0. Looney felt it was a game the Scots could have won.

This season the Scots have scored just eight goals. Senior Tom St. George and sophomore Billy Donahue led the Scots in goals with two a piece. Senior Sam Beciri leads the Scots in points. Beciri has six points, tallying four assists and one goal. Beciri has taken 18 shots on goal.

Earlier this season St. George was named a Midwest Conference Performer of the Week. On Sept. 5, St. George received the honor. This was due to St. George’s two goals against Cornell, including the game winner in the 90th minute.

The Scots senior keeper, a three year starter at Monmouth, Brad “Sunny” Hofmann has played all but 17 minutes of the Scots’ season. Hofmann has recorded one shut-out and has an .814 save percentage.

Although the Scots trail their opponents in both goals (8-11) and shots (61-107), they do have more saves (52-23) and fewer penalties (51-65) than their opponents.

Most of the Scots’ struggles have occurred in the second half of their games. Seven of the 11 goals allowed by the Scots have occurred in the second half, and 62 of the 107 shots allowed have also happened in the second half of the Scots’ games.

Sunday, Sept. 24, the Scots will go to Dubuque, Ill., to face the University of Dubuque. The Scots will attempt to clinch a 4-3 record and break the .500 mark.