Wyoming, MI - The 2023 season kicked off at Velting Field on Saturday afternoon. For the season opener the Men's Soccer team faced familiar foe Kentucky Christian University. The youthful Grace side started the match quickly looking to make an early impact. The Tigers would stay on the front foot controlling possession and creating opportunities. A big early chance came when junior Ryan Cronkright got on the end of a great ball but was unable to finish. Grace would have a goal disallowed leaving the score deadlocked at 0-0 going into the half despite the constant pressure and created chances.
The second half started with more of the same, with KCU looking to counter, along with a couple spells of possession. Grace would continue to be present in KCU's defensive third, then drawing a PK, which was saved by the KCU keeper keeping it 0-0. Tiger keeper, Luis Vicario, picked up where he left off last year setting the single season clean sheet record by coming up big on KCU's only shot on target in the match after a counter attack broke through and required Vicario to make a save, which he did.
"It was one of those types of games. We created several chances, but could not convert them. Coach Miller from KCU had his team set up well and they battled everything we threw at them. There were many positives to take away from this match, especially with the youth we have," said Head Coach Dustin Buchanan. "For the first game of the year, I felt we did a solid job of controlling the tempo, working as a unit and had a lot of fight. If we were a bit more clinical in front of goal and took some of the chances, it is a different outcome, but at the same time credit to KCU for their resolve. I am very excited with this young group of players. Learning from every practice and match will be very important as we continue on. Even though the result wasn't what we would have liked, there are a lot of positives going forward."
The Tigers look to secure their first win of the season this Tuesday at Velting Field. They will face Ohio Christian University at 5pm.
