MSU hosts Asbury for conference title

By Dan Stillwell
Register-Herald Sports Writer

John Birkelbach still has a bad taste in his mouth from the last time Mountain State University played Asbury College.

His Cougars fell 1-0 to the Eagles last October in the first round of the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference playoffs.

“We had beaten them 3-1 at their place in the first game of the season,” Birkelbach said. “It was a game we could have won.”

It’s taken almost a year, but MSU (9-4, 3-0 KIAC) gets another shot at Asbury (4-6-1, 3-0) at 7 p.m. today at Paul Cline Stadium.

More than just revenge is on the line for the Cougars. The winner captures the KIAC regular-season championship and will gain home-field advantage for the playoffs.

“Our guys have put their time in and they deserve this. It’s the biggest game in our program’s history,” Birkelbach said. “They just have to go out and win it.”

MSU was in a similar situation last season, having only to defeat Brescia to win the conference.

The Cougars led 1-0 at halftime, but gave up three goals in the second half.

They followed that loss with the heartbreaker at Asbury.

“We were that close and we let it slip,” Birkelbach said. “(Tonight) we have to win. A loss or a tie and Asbury wins the regular season.”

MSU dug a hole for itself against the Eagles last year when midfielder Charlot Nacius received a red card in the 22nd minute.

Playing with a man advantage, Asbury scored 10 minutes later.

The Cougars fought back, possessing the ball for much of the second half, but were unable to put the ball into the back of the net.

“We have to score first this time,” Birkelbach said. “If they go up, they’ll put 11 guys in the defensive third. They’re a very disciplined team.”

MSU certainly has some firepower. Freshman forward Hasan Katrib has four goals, second-best in the KIAC, while his brother, junior midfielder Ali Katrib, and teammate Moussa Sidibe have three apiece.

Nacius and Gary Taylor each has three assists. Sophomore Alex Cottle, last year’s KIAC scoring leader with 10 goals, has fought injuries all season and has one goal and one assist.

Cottle played keeper while he recovered from a recent leg injury. In fact, Birkelbach has moved players around all season.

“These guys are very versatile and they believe in themselves,” Birkelbach said. “They think, ‘No matter where you’re playing in the field, I believe you can do your job and I will do my job.’”

MSU is on a four-game winning streak, including a 4-1 come-from-behind win over Berea. The Cougars scored four times in the last 22 minutes to secure the win.

Asbury had its own three-game winning streak snapped last Friday in a 5-0 loss to Cumberlands.

Seth Eckert, Brent McGee and Harrison Creech lead the Eagles with three goals apiece.

“We want to switch our attacks and try to catch them off-guard,” Birkelbach said. “But it’s a double-edged sword. They’re very good on the counterattack.”

He hopes for fan support tonight.

“I’ve told the guys to ask all their friends to come out. We desperately need the 12th man out there,” Birkelbach said. “We’ll feed off the energy from the crowd.”