Press Releases
2004-0505-02-05 All-Conference Scholar-Athletes
The Heart of America Athletic Conference has recognized 32 Graceland University athletes as All-Conference Scholar-Athletes for 2004-05.The Yellowjacket softball, women’s track and football teams led the way with four scholars each, followed by the women’s volleyball, men’s track, men’s cross country and men’s soccer teams with three scholar-athletes apiece.
The following is a list of Graceland’s 2004-05 HAAC Scholar-Athletes:
Athlete -- GPA -- Sport -- Major
Quincy Clark -- 3.46 -- Soccer -- Info Tech: Bus. Admin.
Guillermo Sanchez -- 3.70 -- Soccer -- Psychology
Benjamin Wagenaar -- 3.52 -- Soccer -- Biology: Pre Professional
12-14-04 Rodriguez Men’s Soccer All-American
The NAIA recognized Graceland forward Jesus Rodriguez as a Men’s Soccer All-American player for the 2004-05 season. Rodriguez, from Brownsville, Texas, is an honorable mention selection.Rodriguez was a first team all-Region V selection and was listed on the Heart of America Athletic Conference’s first team.
12-08-04 Men’s Soccer Boasts Two All-American Scholars
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics announced two Graceland athletes on the 2004 Daktronics-NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete Team.Senior Ben Wagenaar, who is majoring in pre-med and junior Guillermo Sanchez studying international business, are Graceland’s recipients of the national award.
Recipients must be a junior or senior in academic standing and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 on a 4.00 scale.
11-11-04 Four Men’s Soccer Players All-Conference
The Heart of America Athletic Conference named four Graceland players to the 2004 men’s soccer all-conference teams.Senior defender Benjamin Wagenaar, from Grimsby, Ontario, was the runner-up for defensive player of the year. Junior Jesus Rodriguez, a forward from Brownsville, Texas, joined Wagenaar on the HAAC first team list. Second team accolades were awarded to Guillermo Sanchez, a junior midfielder from Caracas, Venezuela, and Isias Diaz, from Brownsville, Texas, was an honorable mention player in 2004.
The men’s soccer team finished the season 12-6 overall and placed fourth in the conference with a 6-3 record.
10-26-04 Men’s Soccer Upsets #7 in NAIA
Graceland scored three goals in the shut out of 7th ranked Baker University Tuesday night in front of a capacity crowd in Lamoni, Iowa.Senior Andrew Sutton scored the first goal in the opening period and sophomore Bret Loving added both the second and third goals to end the game 3-0 in the Yellowjackets’ favor.
Graceland travels to Liberty, Mo. on Saturday to face William Jewell College, who is 3-2-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.
10-09-04 Rodriguez Scores for Graceland in St. Charles
Graceland's bad luck in away games this season continued following a dramatic late goal which gave Lindenwood University a 3-1 victory in St. Charles, Mo.Jesus Rodriguez pulled the Yellowjackets into contention during the second half after a late first-half strike and an early second half goal had given the Lions a 2-0 lead. But Lindenwood’s close-range strike in the last two minutes, left the Jackets' conference qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
After defeat to MidAmerica Nazarene University in a previous conference game, the Yellowjackets knew they needed a result today. Both sides started cautiously and the Graceland system was keeping the Lindenwood attacking force at bay with some very disciplined defense and counter attackis. But the Graceland defense was not so fortunate in the 41st minute when Lindenwood went ahead.
The Uruguyan international of Lindenwood pounced on a loose ball to fire home after the Graceland defense failed to clear a free kick from the left which was delivered high into the penalty area. Brian Bendorff in goal had no chance.
Graceland responded well and the NAIA 3rd ranked giants in Lindenwood did look vulnerable to counter attacks and twice in quick succession Graceland gained some much-needed hope with long range shots, one of which was deflected away from being a certain goal just before the half time whistle.
The second half started in much the same manner as the first until the game exploded into life. When another long ball was played into the Graceland box Benny Wagenaar cleared strongly with his head only to be tripped up by the Lindenwood player who had ended up on the floor. A scuffle stated which involved most players on the field which ended with two players getting red carded; one from each team. Moments later Lindenwood scored their second goal. They managed to penetrate our defense on the right side and get behind our left back for a cross which was missed at the near post but unfortunately hit Edson Ortiz on the thigh to deflect the ball into his own net.
Graceland decided to go for broke. GU took off a defender to put on an extra attacker to force the game and this had a dramatic effect on the shape of the game. Suddenly, Graceland had the bulk of the possession and created many chances which with a little luck could have been goals. At the other end the Lindenwood goalkeeper was again showing he was the man for the big occasion by tipping a dangerous Jay Tippett cross away before saving Guillemo Sanchez’s low shot to his left. The Graceland attack was bombarding the Lindenwood goal and four shots were hit within a 10-second spell which could easily have resulted in an equalizing goal for Graceland.
The Lindenwood goalkeeper was beaten though in the 64th minute when Jesus Rodriguez scored. Jay Tippett held the ball up and found his teammate, running out of the box in a central area. Jesus controlled the ball went past an onrushing defender and shot low into the bottom corner from 18 yards.
The Lindenwood defense was again anxious in the 75th minute when Luke Pilniuk was allowed time to pick up the ball and cross in front of the goal but fortunately for the home side Matt Klaus was unable to control the ball and score from seven yards. The ball did fall to Sanchez who poked the ball home but was ruled offside. Lindenwood failed to learn from their defensive mistakes and Sanchez humiliated the defender by running in behind to receive the ball with only the goalkeeper to beat. Sanchez pushed the ball to the side and the goalkeeper tripped him up before he could reach the ball and out it into an unprotected net.
Every single person in the stadium saw the offense except the one person who counted the most – the referee. It is unbelievable he did not see it. Maybe because he knew that if he had to give a penalty kick he would have no choice but to red card the home goalkeeper too. It is a shame when soccer games are decided by what the officials see and don’t see.
With only minutes left Lindenwood played a short free kick in the corner and got around our back line before cutting the ball back for a nonchalantly flicked shot past Bendorff. The game was over and Graceland had put in a great performance and were cruelly denied a spoil of the points today.
If just one of the chances had gone in or the penalty had been awarded I am sure the momentum would have carried the Graceland team to a very positive result in overtime. The players never gave up and played with so much heart despite the offensive chanting from the Lindenwood ‘supporters’ in the stands. The players did themselves proud and still have a chance to qualify for post season play if they now win out the rest of the season.
by Kevin Sherry
10-05-04 Graceland Men 4-1 in HAAC
The Graceland University men’s soccer team beat Culver-Stockton College 8-0 Monday night in Canton, Mo.Bret Loving started the scoring early in the game off a pass from Jason Titus. Jesus Rodriguez passed to Guillermo Sanchez who scored at 16:30 into the game, followed by a Rodriguez goal from Ben Wagenaar. Just seven minutes later, Sergio Gomez scored with the assist by Rodriguez. Then Rodriguez, a senior forward from Brownsville, Texas, scored the next two goals, one unassisted and one penalty kick.
At the 77-minute mark, Dan Klaus scored an unassisted goal. Andrew Greco finished the scoring for the Jackets in the 83rd minute with an unassisted score.
Graceland is now 9-4-0 overall and 4-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The men next travel to St. Charles, Mo. to play Lindenwood University at 7:00 p.m.
10-01-04 Men’s Soccer Shuts Out Central Methodist
The Graceland University men’s soccer team beat Central Methodist 5-0 Friday night to kick off the Homecoming festivities in Lamoni, Iowa.The men are now 7-4 this season, and host Harris-Stowe State College on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at The Razz for Homecoming 2004.
09-29-04 Men’s Soccer at MidAmerica
The Graceland men’s soccer team lost 0-3 to MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kan. on Wednesday night.The men are now 6-4 overall and 1-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.
Graceland hosts Harris-Stowe State College for Homecoming on Saturday, October 2 at 7:30 p.m. at The Razz.
09-26-04 JV Men’s Soccer Outscores Grand View
The men’s JV soccer team beat Grand View 4-0 Sunday afternoon at Grand View in Des Moines, Iowa.“The team played really well and paced themselves as they only had two subs,” according to Coach Andy Simpson.
The scoring started at the eight-minute mark with a finish by Manny Gutierrez, who normally is a goaltender but stepped up for this game on the outside midfield. About five minutes later Sergio Gomez netted a shot that was well placed to the side of their keeper.
Just after halftime, Sergio capitalized again on a bad defensive pass by a Grand View defender and had a one-on-one with the keeper and slotted it in to the goal. The scoring was rounded out by Jimmy Burke following up on a breakaway by Stephen Beal. The GU defense picked their game up and helped goalkeeper Eric Fuerst record his first shutout.
09-23-04 Two in a Row
The Graceland men’s soccer team won two in a row after beating Benedictine College 2-0 Thursday night in Lamoni, Iowa. The Jackets beat William Woods 4-2 last weekend for the first back-to-back wins of the 2004 season.Midfielder Bret Loving scored the first goal of the game, followed by senior Andrew Sutton’s score in the second half.
Tonight the men leave for a trip to Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky and Oakland City University in Indiana for games on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Graceland soccer returns to The Razz on Friday, October 1, to play conference rival Central Methodist University at 6:00 p.m.
09-17-04 JV Men’s Soccer Loses Frustrating Game to Baker
The Graceland men’s JV soccer team had a frustrating 2-4 loss last night at home to Baker University. The Yellowjackets played a controlled possession game for the first 20 minutes, then Baker got a goal on their first shot of the match. They followed that goal with two more in quick succession exploiting midfield and defensive mistakes.Graceland’s Roy Tshibanda scored with a few minutes left in the first half to put the Jackets on the board 3-1 at half. Graceland came out strong in the second half but couldn’t put the ball in the net. Daniel Plaza scored to get the game close about 15 minutes into the half, but 15 minutes later Baker netted a chip after goal keeper Andrew Greco had to come out to make a good breakaway save.
“The Jackets have some new faces on defense and in the midfield and are still getting used to playing together as this was only their second game of the season,” commented JV Coach Andy Simpson.
The JV men next play at Simpson on Wednesday, September 22 at Indianola, Iowa.
09-14-04 Sanchez Scores Graceland’s Only Goal
The Graceland men's soccer team lost 2-1 to Grand View College from Des Moines on Tuesday night at the Razz.Guillermo Sanchez scored the Yellowjackets' only goal and Edwin Disang scored both times for Grand View.
The Jackets' next game is this Saturday, September 18 at William Woods University at 3:00 p.m.
09-07-04 Jackets Open Conference Season With Victory
The Graceland University Yellowjackets defeated the Avila University Eagles 5-2 on September 7, thanks in part to a strong offensive effort by the dynamic duo of Jesus Rodriguez and Guillermo Sanchez.Rodriguez opened the scoring ten minutes into the first half with a shot that helped settle down the Jackets. Seven minutes later Sanchez capitalized on a defensive miscue by the Avila Eagles, turned and put the Jackets up for good with a shot to the far post. Sanchez netted another just before the half to widen the margin. Captain Kenny Baldwin came into the game at the 30th minute and made his presence known with a hard fought goal just before the half.
The Yellowjackets emptied the bench in the second half allowing all players to get valuable experience with the score 4-0. Jason Titus put the Jackets up for good with a finish from an Avila rebound. The game was well put away, but a valiant effort by the Eagles, the home side netted two in the closing minutes for a final result of 5-2 in favor of the Graceland University Yellowjackets.
"While I am always pleased with a win, this game or team should not be the measuring stick of what we are trying to achieve -- focus for ninety minutes and the finishing of opportunities is an area that we will need to concentrate on," noted Coach Joseph. "The game was marred by sloppy play on less than ideal conditions, but any time you can start your conference season with a win that's a positive step in the right direction to securing a playoff berth."
The Yellowjackets will next prepare to face nationally ranked Grand View College from Des Moines, Iowa on Tuesday, September 14 at 7:00 p.m. at The RAZZ in Lamoni, Iowa.
09-04-04 Sanchez Nets Four in Win Over Mayville
Guillermo Sanchez (Jr. Caracas, Venezuela) netted four goals in Graceland University’s 6-0 victory over Maysville State University. Guillermo Sanchez played like a man on fire as he made his season debut at The Razz.“His intensity and work rate were a welcome addition to the team,” remarked men’s assistant coach Gieani Weikel. “Mo is a pleasure to watch and he can make things happen on his own.”
Jesus Rodriguez, an All-American forward in 2002 for Graceland, added two goals on the afternoon as well and opened the scoring less than a minute into the game as he dribbled by three Mayville State defenders and found the back of the net.
Captain and starting center back Benny Wagenaar (Sr., Ontario, CAN) sat out nursing a strained quadricep muscle, but the defense never skipped a beat. The team defense displayed their strength, organization and depth as Edson Ortiz (Sr., Brownsville, Texas) stepped into Wagenaar’s role and anchored the defense -- as he did all of last season -- limiting the Mayville State attack to three strikes on goal for the entire match.
Coach Joseph commented on the youth of the Mayville team and was disappointed that the Yellowjackets were not better able to establish rhythm and play a tactically effective game of soccer.
“The Maysville coach did an excellent job of organizing his young team and they posed a tactical problem that we were not creative enough to solve on our own until half time,” said Joseph. “My hat’s off to them”.
“At times the Yellowjackets were definitely disorganized at times, but the sign of a good team is to win when they are not playing their best,” added Graceland women’s coach Kevin Sherry.
Graceland’s next match is September 7 in Kansas City, Mo. against Avila University at 4:00 p.m.
09-02-04 JV Men’s Soccer Beats Missouri Valley 7-1
The JV men's soccer team opened the season with a 7-1 win at Missouri Valley Thursday night.The scoring came from six players, including one penalty kick goal from freshman Corby Robertson. Stephen Beal had two goals, one an upper 90 finish from 20 yards and one was a finish on the six from a cross by Michael Shireman. Later in the evening, Shireman added a goal that slotted a crossed ball past the keeper from the six.
Newcomer Filberto Cortinas had one goal, a set piece free kick from 20 yards bent over the wall to upper 90 far post. Daniel Plaza scored for the Jackets on a low hard shot that ricocheted off of a Missouri Valley player and into the goal. To end the night Jay Tippett tallied a point when his throw-in was cleared into the Missouri Valley goal by one of their players.
The JV team will host Benedictine College on September 7 at The Razz in Lamoni.
09-01-04 Men’s Soccer Loses to Park in OT
The Graceland men’s soccer team lost 2-3 in overtime at Park University in Parkville, Mo. Senior Wesley Hodgson and freshman Corby Robertson scored the Yellowjacket goals.The men host Mayville State University from Mayville, North Dakota on Saturday, September 4 at 1:00 p.m. at The Razz.
08-28-04 Klaus Brothers Lift Graceland to Victory
Graceland opened the 2004 season amidst five inches of rain and came away with a 2-1 victory over Morningside College. The game was played under sloppy conditions in the middle third and saw Morningside spring ahead 1-0 at the 20th minute after a failed defensive clearance.The score remained 1-0 at the half after several near misses by the Graceland squad. The Yellowjackets carried the run of play but could not capitalize on their opportunities. The second half started with Graceland switching to high pressure, and the increased work rate created turnover after turnover.
Senior midfielder Dan Klaus finished a one time volley from younger brother Matt Klaus off a corner kick at the 60th minute. The goal revitalized the veteran team and the Yellowjackets held the Morningside team in their half of the field. Freshmen sensation Matt Klaus was taken down in the penalty area and the Yellowjackets went ahead 2-1 after Klaus’ PK at the 70th minute.
“It was great to see the Klaus brothers contribute towards our victory," stated Coach Ivan Joseph. "Dan Klaus has worked hard the past three years and it’s good to see him break into the starting line-up and contributing.”
The next game will see Graceland against Mayville State University on September 4 at 1:00 p.m. at The Razz in Lamoni, Iowa.
