Complete Release (PDF)

This Week:
The 13th-ranked Metro State men's soccer team will begin a seven-game road trip this weekend, traveling to Wichita Falls, Texas, for two games. The Roadrunners will face host school No. 21 Midwestern State on Friday and Northeastern State (Okla.) on Sunday.

Scouting the Opponent:
Midwestern State: The Mustangs split two road games last weekend, falling 1-0 to Incarnate Word (Texas) on Friday, before defeating St. Edwards (Texas) 1-0 on Sunday. Bryce Taylor (6-1, MF, Jr.) netted the lone goal of the weekend on an assist from Paulo Teixiera (5-9, MF, Jr.). Raul Herrera (6-2, GK, Jr.) played all 180 minutes in the goal and made three saves. MSU outshot its opponents 24-12 in the two games, including 15-4 on goal.

Northeastern State: The RiverHawks went 2-0-0 to open the season last weekend, defeating Rogers State 2-1 and Harding 1-0 in overtime at home. Justin Cleland (5-11, F, Jr.) and Sambo Claros (5-8, MF, So.) each scored goals, while the third came as an own-goal. Sam Vernalls (5-9, F, Sr.) tallied two assists and Zach Schmoker (5-9, MF, Jr.) added another. Brendon Lindsey (6-2, GK, So.) played all 181 minutes in the goal and made seven saves. NSU outshot its opponents 31-15 and 12-8 on goal.

All-Time Series Records:
Metro State has lost all five meetings with Midwestern State in the history of the two schools. MSU won 4-1 in Denver last season and 8-1 and 2-0 in 2007. The Roadrunners have fared much better against NSU, going 4-2. Most recently, Metro State won 3-0 in 2007. They have never played each other at a neutral site.

Roadrunners Update:
Metro State opened the 2009 season with a 2-0 win over the University of Mary (N.D.) on Saturday at Auraria Field. Scott Grode (Gilbert, Ariz./Basha H.S.) netted the first goal of the season off a cross from Ryan Brooks (Arvada, Colo./Arvada West H.S.) just over eight minutes into the contest. Ri Armstrong (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview H.S.) scored the other on a header from Scott Crawford (Arvada, Colo./Pomona H.S.). Dominique Griffith (Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hill H.S.) made five saves for the shutout in his collegiate debut.

RMAC Player of the Week:
Dominique Griffith (Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hill H.S.) was named RMAC Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 1 after he made five saves in his first career game in Metro State's 2-0 win over the University of Mary (N.D.) on Saturday at Auraria Field. He became the first Metro State goalkeeper to earn a shutout in his Roadrunner debut since Zac Loescher on Sept. 2, 1996, in a 3-0 win over Colorado State-Pueblo.

Long Road Trip:
The Roadrunners opened the season at home, but will then go on the road to play seven consecutive games away from Auraria Field. It will tie the school record for most consecutive games played away from home. Metro State played seven consecutive neutral site or away games in 2006 from Sept. 29 through Oct. 15. Metro State posted a 5-1-1 record during that road trip.

Season Openers:
Metro State has now won nine of its past 10 season opening games, including three straight after the 2-0 win over Mary (N.D.) on Aug. 29.. Last season the Roadrunners opened with a 3-0 win over St. Martin's (Wash.). The only loss since 2000 came as a 3-2 overtime loss in 2006 at home against Midwestern State (Texas).

Climbing the Rankings:
The Roadrunners open the season ranked 21st in the preseason NSCAA top-25 poll and jumped to No. 13 in the Sept. 1 poll. Last year they finished 21st after opening the season at No. 7.