PRATT, Kans.- After consecutive 1-0 losses to start 2019, Kevin Kewley's bunch had had just about enough.
The Beavers opened their home schedule with a dominating 5-0 win over Coffeyville earlier this afternoon, as the Beavers controlled the tempo of the match, forcing the Red Ravens into countless mistakes, and to chase the game rather than the reverse. Kewley had glowing words for his team following the rousing result.
"Just a complete team effort," Kewley said. "We played team defense in the prior two games and that was evident today. We also took our chances and that was the difference. I'm delighted."
Freshman Davan Duggan-Flynn initiated the scoring, redirecting a loose ball in the six-yard box into the back of the net. Freshman Clayton Simmons followed with a cheeky curler from the left side of the box up-and-around the goalkeeper to make it 2-0. From there, it was all Beavers. Sophomore Joe Brett dribbled his way past multiple defenders before slotting a low liner through to give the Beavers a 3-0 lead. Freshman Emre Turuscu scored as well, with Duggan-Flynn adding an assist to his stat line. Sophomore Nadir Cano-Lorente capped Pratt's monstrous day with a nifty curler that found its way over the keeper's head and into the left side of the net.
Kewley doesn't have a hard time talking about his team's opening weekend, when the Beavers lost both games by a combined two goals. He believes that experience ultimately aided his group this afternoon.
"I think mentally we needed to go through it," Kewley said. "They realized they are going to miss some chances but you have to get yourself in there and take chances. I think we had a completely different attitude around the goal. We talked about it last night, that when you get a chance, you have to take it. Coffeyville is a very good team so I'm delighted with the whole team performance."
Now three games into the young season, Kewley is still experimenting with his shape and tactics, but today offered soccer-lifer an opportunity to try plenty of new things.
"I played guys at different positions, and moved everybody about. Everyone got playing time, so it was great. They gave me a great problem today because everyone went in there and did their job."
Men's soccer next hits the pitch Sunday, September 1 against Rose State College in Midwest City, Oklahoma. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 pm CT.