MORAGA, Calif. - After meeting for the first time in program history a year ago, Saint Mary's will hit the road for the first time this season and take on 19th ranked Kansas City on Friday, August 29th at 5:30 PM PST. The Roos traveled to Moraga last season and snuck away with the 1-0 victory after an 84th minute game winner from Elie Kisoka. The season opening win was the start of something special for Kansas City as they went on to win the Summit League Championship and make it all the way to the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament. 

Saint Mary's continues its search for their first win of the season but put up a pair of tough fights in one-goal losses to Cal and San Jose State during the opening weekend. Both of those teams are now in this week's United Soccer Coaches poll with the Golden Bears jumping all the way up to No. 17 in the country. The Gaels will seek some revenge Friday night and will look to do it in dramatic fashion, seeking their first win over a ranked opponent since shutting out 25th ranked LMU in the 2023 season finale. 

Kickoff is slated for Friday at 5:30 PM pacific time and the match can be streamed live on Midco Sports Plus.    

GAME INFORMATION AND COVERAGE

MSOC | Saint Mary's at Kansas City | Durwood Soccer Stadium
Kansas City, MO. | August 29th | 5:30 PM PST
Live Stats | Midco Sports | Tickets 

GAELS OUTLOOK

TJ Dilley Nets a Pair on Opening Weekend…

Redshirt freshman TJ Dilley scored a pair of goals in his first two collegiate games this past weekend. The Dana Point native scored the 1-1 equalizer for the Gaels against Cal and then netted the opener off a throw-in against San Jose State to take a 1-0 lead.

Dilley has started in both games in the team's backline, recording 156 minutes of action, two goals and four shots. He currently leads the WCC with his two goals and will look to add to his early success with a road matchup against 19th ranked Kansas City Friday night.

Pair of Heartbreaking Defeats to Start Season…

Head coach Adam Cooper has made it clear this is one of the program's toughest schedules in recent memory but despite that Saint Mary's nearly pulled off a pair of upsets over Cal and San Jose State on opening weekend. The Gaels went toe-to-toe with the Golden Bears, coming from behind and tying the game twice before Cal scored in the 82nd minute for the eventual game winner. 

Saint Mary's bounced back on Sunday and took a one-goal lead over a talented San Jose State squad who were picked to finish third in the WAC and returned the league's offensive player of the year. Similar to Cal, the Spartans scored just four minutes later to equalize before the half. 

The Gaels nearly doubled their shot total in the second half but a dramatic go-ahead goal with just seven seconds remaining would give San Jose State the 2-1 victory to conclude the weekend. The Gaels are deep in their back line and play with a physicality that makes them a tough opponent week in and week out. They'll look for an upset over the 19th ranked Roos in a rematch from the 2024 season. 

Series History…

Last season was the first ever matchup between Saint Mary's and Kansas City. The Roos stole the road win in Moraga with a goal in the 84th minute to kickoff the 2024 season. The two will meet again in a return game, this time in Kansas City, for their second all-time meeting.

ABOUT THE ROOS (Summit League)

The Roos are coming off of the best season in program history, one that saw the team win the Summit League Championship and qualify for the NCAA Round of 16. Following the conclusion of last season, KC was also ranked 18th in the United Soccer Coaches poll, adding No. 13 rankings with TopDrawerSoccer and the NCAA RPI.

Kansas City returns nine of its 11 starters from the NCAA Round of 16 game, including reigning Summit League Offensive Player of the Year Elie Kisoka. In addition, the Roos are adding 15 new faces to the mix. They were selected to finish second in the Summit League preseason poll behind Denver University. Kansas City starts the season 1-0-1 with a 2-1 victory over 24th ranked Missouri State after drawing 2-2 with No. 5 SMU to open up the season. 

Tickets for Friday's match can be bought online at kcroos.com and the match can be streamed live on Midco Sports Plus. Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information. 

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