Bulldogs upset preseason No. 1

Less than four minutes into the second half of last Friday’s match against No. 16 Fort Lewis (Colo.) College, sophomore forward Andy Chapman sent a rocket into the net from almost 30 yards out to tie the game 1-1. The goal sent the crowd into an uproar at the Bulldog Pitch and shifted the momentum in No. 24 Truman’s favor.

Later, in the 76th minute, senior forward Matt Kimball received a pass from senior midfielder Bobby Larkin and took a sliding shot past Fort Lewis keeper Nate Bell’s fingertips into the corner of the goal to give Truman a 2-1 upset.

“It was a great win,” assistant coach Joe Nick said. “The game was incredible with a great atmosphere and a great crowd. The guys did the work, and what an effort they had coming back from being down 1-0 at the half and then winning 2-1.”

Fort Lewis is the defending national champion and entered the season ranked No. 1.

Nick said the ’Dogs (2-1) did an outstanding job keeping up the offensive pressure. The forwards and the midfielders kept plenty of pressure on the Skyhawks backfield, which eventually paid off in the second half, Nick said.

“They relaxed a little bit and we kept working,” he said. “We took advantage of our opportunities as an offense, and you have to take charge in situations like that.”

Kimball has two goals and an assist in three games. Head coach Duke Cochran said Kimball has been brilliant at home but now needs to do just as well on the road.

“Right now we’re really looking for that consistency in players, instead of having great games and then having an off game,” Cochran said.  

Cochran said the entire starting 11 for the Bulldogs fought hard at last Friday’s match. The match was physical with both teams racking up 12 fouls throughout the game. Fort Lewis received two yellow cards while Truman was issued only one. Cochran said Chapman’s goal really set the tone for the second half.

“Chapman, he’s a goal scorer,” Cochran said. “He’s good at shooting at frame from distance and from anywhere really.”

Junior Zachary Cooper was at last Friday’s match. He said once Truman scored the tying goal, the crowd became very invested in the game. There were 583 people in attendance, according to the box score.

“Everyone was pumped up and cheering for Truman and heckling the other team,” Cooper said. “ It was probably some of the most school spirit I’ve seen at a Truman event, even [President] Troy Paino was there.”

The ’Dogs travel Friday to Springfield, Mo., to face rival Drury University. Truman has not beaten Drury since 2005. Nick said this might be the last chance the seniors have to beat Drury during their time, so he expects it to be a war.  

“We have to go down there and win, and at the same time they need to step up at home and beat us, so I expect it to be a battle,” Nick said. “Ryan Swan is the head coach down there, and he’s a former player and coach here at Truman. He knows what’s coming and we know what’s there.”

Nick said the ’Dogs have been practicing on Truman’s turf field inside Stokes Stadium in preparation for the match. Nick said the turf feels different and plays different than a normal pitch. Drury will be used to their surface and that’s going to be tough, said Nick.

“I mean, we’re going to have to adjust, but all good teams do,” Nick said. “We’re going to have to be tough and beat Drury on their home turf.”