The men's soccer team pushed its record to 4-3 after splitting a pair of games over the weekend.

The Bulldogs defeated Gannon University (Erie, Pa.) 3-1 on Saturday but was shut out Sunday 1-0 by Mercyhurst College (Erie, Pa.).

"The Gannon match was one of our better games we've played all season," head coach Alf Bilbao said. "From the beginning of the game, we moved and possessed the ball really well."

The 'Dogs attempted almost twice as many shots as their opponents in the Gannon game. The team scored two of its three unassisted goals in the first period and then scored the third goal during the second period.

"Our spacing on the field, especially with our players, was very good," Bilbao said. "We didn't make very many mistakes at all."

Goalkeeper junior Adam Johnson had seven saves and allowed only one goal during the game.

Bilbao said the match against Mercyhurst was a different story.

"We went from playing on a big field against Gannon, which is conducive to our style, to playing on a very narrow field with thick grass, and it slowed us down," Bilbao said.

The 'Dogs were allowed only two shots in the first period against the physical Mercyhurst team. The 'Dogs gave up the only point scored in the game on a penalty kick in the first period.

"The second half we played very well," Bilbao said. "It may have been one of our best halves of the year, but we just couldn't find the back of the net."

The 'Dogs attempted eight shots in the second period but were unable to score a goal.

Bilbao said the team came out of the weekend playing really good soccer, and it will be able to build upon that.

Midfielder freshman Geoff Brengle said the team played well over the weekend.

"Team unity is great this year," Brengle said. "For as many new players as we have, we are gelling really well."

Although the team had a strong showing in its last two games, there are still some rough edges that need smoothing, Bilbao said.

"One of the biggest problems we've had in the last couple of weeks is not being patient enough," Bilbao said. "We've been playing well, but we've just played too fast."

The 'Dogs have had a tough stretch on the road, playing in Wisconsin, Illinois and St. Louis before their trip to Pennsylvania, Bilbao said.

"If we can bottle how we played this weekend, that is what we want," Bilbao said. "It was a great team performance in both games."

The young team is composed of 13 sophomores, seven freshmen and five juniors.

Bilbao said the team is extremely young, but the guys are doing a great job. He said they have progressed much faster than he expected.

Midfielder freshman Martin Clayes said everything is beginning to come together well.

"We are playing more like a team now," Clayes said. "Everyone is getting involved. The upperclassmen have done a good job incorporating the younger players into the system and into the tradition that has been set for Truman soccer."

As far as the team's performance in the future, Bilbao said there are some important regional games coming up, and to make the post-season tournament the team will have to take it one game at a time.

Clayes said he has a good feeling that if the team keeps playing like it has been, it will have a good shot at making the tournament.

The next eight of the team's 10 games will be against regional opponents.

The 'Dogs have two regional games coming up this weekend. They will travel to St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Ind., on Saturday and then they'll be playing Oakland City University (Indiana) on Sunday.

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