Late last month, the men’s team opened its season on the road with a win against University of St Mary with a 5-0 shutout.
Two weeks later, the team played their home opener at Julian Field against Baker University. Before the game, the team paid tribute to former Park NAIA All-American James Katajwa, who was killed in a car accident earlier this year.
Baker began the match-up playing aggressively with four fouls within the first five minutes of play. One of the fouls gave Park a penalty shot, senior midfielder, Carlos Trombini Filho scored in the seventh minute.
The aggression continued from there, as both Park and Baker received penalties, some of which resulted in yellow cards sighting unsportsmanlike conduct. Later, Baker tied the game with a goal in the 25th minute by Andy Griffin.
Despite a large amount of fouls and yellow cards in the second half, Baker took control of the game with a goal by Jordan Thacker in the 58th minute. Baker went on to win the game 2-1.
Later in the week, the Pirates faced Freed-Hardeman at home. Freed started quickly, beginning the first 15 minutes with a goal. Park managed to take back control of the game later in first half with goals scored by senior midfielders, Carlos Trombini Filho & Kiel Williams.
Park managed to hold off Freed with their defensive play until Freed took charge of the game and walked away with a 3-2 against Park. Three days later, Park went back out on the road and lost to Graceland, 1-2. The men’s team had 1-3 record as this issue went to print. The men will play again at 2 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 28, at Julian Field.
