Sports editor Jaralynn Tammi Morellano says Tulsa’s defense made some fatal slip ups.
The University of Tulsa’s men’s soccer team continues to struggle this season as it fell to a devastating 4-0 loss against Kansas City at the Durwood Soccer Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 24. This loss made Tulsa’s record drop to 1-6-1 overall. Meanwhile Kansas City improved to 6-2-2.
The evening was full of bad luck for the Golden Hurricane, the rainy weather causing the game to be pushed back 40 minutes This weather dilemma would prove to be a serious problem for Tulsa later on in the game.
The Golden Hurricane would almost take the first goal, Luke Adams having a shot on target just seconds after kickoff. Unfortunately, Kansas City was able to save it.
Similar to its performance against Memphis, Tulsa allowed a goal within the first 10 minutes of the game. Kansas City’s Sora Shibata crossed the ball and Miguiel Fernandez connected to send a left-footed shot to the far-right corner to put the Roos up 0-1.
The Golden Hurricane was able to fend off the Roos for most of the half, but it was unable to tie the game during its endeavors. At the 42nd minute mark, Tulsa’s defense would make a fatal mistake. As goalkeeper Alex Lopez rolled the ball out to Gyuwong Chong, the defender would lose his footing trying to turn to leave a free ball out. The ball was picked up by Garbrielle Galluccio picked up this ball to set up Hector Taboada for Kansas City’s second goal of the night.
Tulsa would not make a recovery after this mistake, the Roos taking another goal right before the half was called. A shot attempt from Kansas City would bounce off the crossbar, and Jack Dean would lob it right back to the left side of the net. This goal would have the Golden Hurricane going into the half down 0-3.
The second half sprouted no opportunities for Tulsa, and it continued to try to fend off the Roos for a majority of the half. Kansas City’s final goal would come in the 56th minute when Raphael Kistmann connected on a cross to make a goal on target. Lopez would make this save, but he would fail to hold onto the ball. With Lopez down, no one stood between Kistmann and the goal, and he was able to shoot the loose ball into the net.
Lopez was put to work during this game, the goalkeeper coming up with six saves. The defense in its entirety had a lot to go up against as the Golden Hurricane was outshot 26-11, 10-3 in shots on target.
Tulsa was close to getting some goals, Camilo Vargas having two shots on target that almost slipped past the Roos. In the end, the whistle blew and the Golden Hurricanes were defeated 4-0.
Up next, the Golden Hurricane will be heading out to Miami, Florida to continue its fight in the American Athletic conference and face Florida International University. FIU currently stands with a 2-4-2 record, its last game ending in a tie with SMU. This game will kick off at 6:00 p.m. CDT and will be streamed on ESPN+.
