The Rockhurst Hawks men's soccer team is set for one of its biggest tests of the young campaign as the Hawks welcome No. 5 Rogers State to Bourke Field Wednesday (Sept. 2) night before opening Great Lakes Valley Conference play Saturday (Sept. 5) hosting Indianapolis at Bourke Field.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. for both matches.
Rockhurst entered the season ranked No. 13 in the United Soccer Coaches Division II preseason poll, but a 4-1 road loss at No. 3 Fort Hays State dropped the Hawks from the rankings. The defeat came against one of the nation's top programs and marked the first of three matchups against some of the MIAA's top competition during Rockhurst's non-conference slate.
The Hawks bounced back in a big way in their home opener Saturday (Aug. 29), earning a 2-1 victory over Newman. Nicolas Schrag opened the scoring in the first half before Troy Lor delivered the game-winning goal late in the match to lift Rockhurst to the victory.
Rockhurst has seen three different players account for its three goals so far this season. Sam McIntosh scored the Hawks' first goal of the year on a penalty kick at Fort Hays State, while Schrag and Lor found the back of the net in Saturday's win over Newman.
McIntosh has been one of Rockhurst's most active players offensively, leading the team with seven shots through the opening matches. Blake Barrick and Nick Marchetti each recorded assists against Newman, helping the Hawks earn their first win of the season. In goal, Samuele Neri has started the first couple of matches for Rockhurst and has recorded three saves.
Wednesday's matchup will also provide the Hawks with an opportunity to earn their first victory over Rogers State. Rockhurst enters the match 0-3-1 all-time against the Hillcats, with the last two meetings taking place in Claremore, Oklahoma. The last time the two teams met in Kansas City, the Hawks and Hillcats played to a 2-2 draw in 2019.
Rogers State has already earned victories over two GLVC opponents this season, defeating McKendree and Maryville. Both of those contests, however, were played at home, making Wednesday's matchup at Bourke Field the Hillcats' first true road test of the season.
Rockhurst then opens GLVC action Saturday night against Indianapolis, which enters the week with a 1-0-1 record. The Greyhounds opened their season with a draw against No. 21 Cedarville before earning a 1-0 victory over Lake Erie. Indianapolis was selected to finish fifth in the GLVC preseason poll and received one first-place vote.
With a nationally ranked opponent arriving Wednesday and conference play beginning Saturday, the Hawks are heading into a critical week at Bourke Field. Rockhurst will look to build on the momentum from its victory over Newman while facing two quality opponents in back-to-back home matches.
