Stephanie Platt of The Current

Rivermen midfielder Ryan Inkley (10) chases a William Woods player in an exhibition game Aug. 21.

by Dave Kinworthy
staff editor

The Rivermen soccer team has hit a bump in the road as their team sits with a 2-3 record. However, with conference play beginning, UM-St. Louis is focusing in on what could be a stand-out year.

Previously, the Rivermen lost at Rockhurst 3-0 with a stellar crowd of 501 in attendance.

The Rivermen got down 3-0 in the first half and were unable to counter the goals.

"It was a very disappointing loss," Redmond said. "We attacked well, but it seemed every time they came down the field, they put one in on us. It was a very strange game. When you hear 3-0, you think of a regular whipping. We outshot them, out corner-kicked them, and out-played them. It was just one of those games."

UM-St. Louis then traveled to Lindenwood College and lost 1-0.

"We did not create enough chances to put it away," Redmond said. "It was kind of a stale mate.

The Rivermen have a tough road schedule ahead of them as they face three Great Lakes Valley Conference teams in Northern Kentucky, IUPU-Fort Wayne, and Southern Indiana in consecutive games.

"These are going to be hard games," Redmond said. "I think we might be playing three in a row against three teams that will be the most improved. Southern Indiana will be like night and day and Fort Wayne played a New Hampshire college out East who was in the top five in the Northeast and beat them 2-0. That is a kind of a result that gets your attention. Northern Kentucky against us has always been a one-goal battle. It will be a hard weekend ahead."

As the tough time in the Rivermen's schedule approaches, Redmond believes that his players, especially his younger ones, will be ready for the challenge.

"They have handled themselves well in the first five games," Redmond said. "They are very competitive. You will not find a more competitive group than Mike Kirchoff, Jeff Stegman, Chris Stockman, and Ryan Smith. They are starting to learn from the seniors how important each game is. They will be ready."

As the Rivermen head into this crucial week of play, Redmond believes his players are capable of doing the job, but it all depends on timing.

"We keep waiting for ourselves to gel, and I hope that this is the weekend," Redmond said. "I think we are really close to putting our best game together. This is the season starting [tomorrow]. I can't wait, and I know the players cannot wait. The attitude is great on this team, and it is just like two separate seasons now."

UM-St. Louis will eventually venture home for their first home conference game of the year against Quincy on Sept. 26.