Men’s soccer picking up their game

Soccer coach Ken Thomson and company are on the up-swing after two straight home wins, bringing their record to 3-5-2 in overall play and 3-3 in conference play.

Last week, spectators witnessed the home debut of freshman mid-fielder Muganza Katanga, who had previously been out of the game due to injuries.

“We definitely have some weapons this year,” said Thomson, in reference to Katanga. On Wednesday, Katanga scored both of the Cardinal’s two goals with assistance from sophomore forward Alec Maldonado, leading the Cardinals to a 2-0 victory over Treasure Valley Community College.

In the match up vs. Treasure Valley, veteran goalie Garrett Boyce delivered his second shut-out of the seasons after making some great saves in the first half and keeping the protection at 100 percent through the final second.

The Cardinals, who left Saturday and will be on the road for the next five games, will start at Columbia Basin College on Oct. 1, and will end with a rematch against Treasure Valley on Oct. 15.

Despite a long stretch of games away from home and the challenges of being on the road, Thomson is confident that his team will produce quality defense and offensive plays.

“We’re more stable in the back, and we also have more power in the attack than we had last year,” Thomson said. “Over-all, we’re just a much more balanced team.”

The Cardinal men will again be taking to their home field on Oct. 19.