Missouri club soccer downs Washington

The team concluded the regular season at 5-1-2.

By Zach Miller

Published Oct. 27, 2009

On a cold, wet Friday night in Columbia, with the sounds of Homecoming festivities in the background, the Missouri men's club soccer team completed its regular season with a 3-0 victory over Washington University on Stankowski Field.

The team finished with a record of 5-1-2. Senior captain David Menne said he was happy with the team's performance but said it could have done better.

"We've done slightly less than we expected to," Menne said. "We expected to be a bit stronger."

In its first meeting with Washington this season, Missouri won on a dramatic last-second goal. After a scoreless first half, Missouri was able to do what they couldn't do the first time and break the game wide open by scoring three goals in the second half.

Missouri out-shot Washington, and senior Mike Hyde capped the scoring with a resounding goal just before time was called. Shane Rasch, a graduate student who has been a star for the Tigers this season, did what he has done all season with one goal and one assist in the game.

Rasch has been with the team for five years and has seen many of the strides it has made since becoming a new club in 2004.

"There is much more structure now, and much more commitment to success," Rasch said.

Another player who has been with the team for five years is senior goalie Liam Cremins, who played well in the shutout of Washington.

Cremins has high hopes for the team in the postseason.

"We have good chemistry," Cremins said. "We've done well and are looking to do better. We are really starting to come together as a team."

Next weekend, the Tigers will play in the regional tournament in Manhattan, Kan. Missouri has historically had a lot of success in the regional tournament, winning last year and three of the last four.

"We expect to win," Menne said.

After the regional tournament, Missouri hopes to play in the national tournament in Tempe, Ariz. Missouri has never made it past the round of 16 in the national tournament, and a deep run would certainly define this season as a success.

Menne said for Missouri to have success this postseason, the offense is going to have to step up.

"We haven't scored a lot of goals, which is a problem," Menne said. "We've been good on defense, but expected to blow some teams out that we didn't."

A wealth of experience should help Missouri, because the roster is loaded with juniors and seniors.

The club soccer team is one of the most popular club teams at Missouri because the Big 12 does not sponsor men's soccer as a varsity sport. They have been successful and hope to continue that success next season despite losing many players due to graduation.

Menne is not concerned and expects a large turnout at tryouts in the fall.