header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


250-2The Master’s University’s 6-3 win over Bethesda Friday afternoon was more than just another victory. It was more than just a tune-up in advance of next week’s GSAC opener.

It was historic.

The Mustangs’ fifth win (5-2-1) of the 2016 campaign was head coach Jim Rickard’s 300th career victory, all coming at The Master’s since he took over the program’s reins in 1991. The milestone triumph vaulted Rickard into notable territory, tying him for seventh place on the NAIA’s active winningest coaches’ list and No. 18 on the all-time wins list.

The victory didn’t come easy. The Mustangs couldn’t put the pesky Flames away until the final five minutes of play when goals by Zach Klindworth and Humphrey Mahowa gave the club some much-needed breathing room and insurance.

Until that point, the Flames were just good enough to hang around. In fact, they drew first blood in the match’s sixth minute (5:14) when Jun Mo Ryu ripped a free kick past Mustang keeper Kyle Cunningham.

That slightest of leads held up for more than eight minutes until Klindworth took a feed from Benjamin Tembo, who had intercepted a pass, and blasted it past Flame keeper Oscar Gomez and into the upper-right corner of the net to tie the match at the 13:22 mark. It was Klindworth’s first goal of his senior season.

Nine minutes later (22:24), Tembo was the beneficiary of a teammate’s pass as Mahowa found the sophomore forward, who put it past Gomez for a 2-1 lead. Tembo’s fifth goal of the year gave the Mustangs a lead they would never relinquish.

Then, just as the Mustang fans settled back into their seats, Mahowa made them get up again, taking a pass from Christopher Logan and pushing it just inside the left post at 25:38 to double the advantage. Those three goals in just over 12 minutes could have made the Mustangs confident of an easy win but the Flames would have none of that.

With just 3:23 (41:37) left in the first half, a cross from Flame Cesar Pompa set up Jae Hyeok Choi for the score that narrowed the Mustang lead to 3-2.

710The Mustangs, who outshot the Flames 9-4 over the opening 45 minutes, took that one-goal advantage to halftime.

In the opening minutes of the second stanza, the Mustangs went after Gomez with a barrage of shots and when Mahowa took a looping pass from Trevor Mangan in the 55th minute (54:34) and shot it past the Flame keeper, TMU once again had a two-goal advantage.

However, Bethesda didn’t fold up and go home. Instead, the Flames closed within one score again at 66:58 when Ryu lasered a free kick past goalie Casey Phillips, who replaced Cunningham between the pipes in the second half.

That’s where the Flame rally ended, though, and Klindworth and Mahowa had everything to do with it. The two, who have combined for so many goals in their first two years together, put the match away in a three-minute window in the closing moments.

First, it was Klindworth. The senior striker took a pass from Mahowa, via Tembo, and booted in his second goal of the game at 85:56 to hand the Mustangs another two-goal edge.

Then, with 1:40 (88:20) left to play, Mahowa sealed the win, taking a pass from Klindworth and hammering it past Gomez for his second career hat trick and the match’s final score. Mahowa’s three goals (to go along with a couple of assists) give him a team-high eight and his 20 points also lead the squad. He and Klindworth, who has a team-high five assists along with Luis Garcia-Sosa, combined for 13 points.

With the win finally secured, the focus turned to the post-game celebration and ceremony for Rickard and his family. He was feted by athletics director Steve Waldeck, who recounted some of his earlier milestone wins and read congratulatory notes from former players and Westmont head coach Dave Wolf, who shares the 300-win total with Rickard.

TMU President Dr. John MacArthur spent a few minutes recognizing Rickard for his leadership of young men down through the years and his commitment to Christ.

After the festivities, Rickard was able to reflect on the accomplishment with the following:

“Reflecting on 300 wins I’m grateful to so many people for this incredible journey. Special thanks to my wife Jolene for keeping me grounded and focused on what my purpose is. I’m thankful for my kids’ support and investment in their love for the players over the years. I’m grateful to my extended family, friends, President, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, players, colleagues, opponents, referees, and parents of players. I’m thankful that TMU put its trust in a young 23-year old to lead these players so long ago (1991). I’ve never felt pressure from the outside; my pressure and drive have come from within. With that desire to “succeed”, I’ve made plenty of mistakes and even have had regrets along the way. But, I’ve had so many help me stay resolved to lead others toward God and I owe a debt that can’t be repaid to them. Real success comes from a life dedicated and lived out in grateful service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I’ve failed many times in my example while trying to live the principles of Romans 12:1-2 out in front of my players. It’s odd to be honored and credited when I didn’t make a pass, didn’t score a goal, and wasn’t inside the lines in any of the 300 games. These victories have been forged on the backs of so many great players, a real life hall of fame. I’m so humbled to even have been a small part of their lives in service to our great God. In the end I pray our desire to honor God with the gifts and abilities he’s given the players and to use soccer as a platform to share the gospel of Jesus Christ has been evident throughout my journey.”

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


WATCH NOW
LOCAL SPORTS HEADLINES
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Monday, Mar 25, 2024
The Master's University men's volleyball team took to the road and came away with a 3-set victory, 25-19, 25-16, 25-22, over the Hope International Royals in Fullerton.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Battling back from a 12-point deficit, The Master's University basketball team had the lead late but could not hold it, losing to the No. 1 seed Freed-Hardeman 68-69 in the Round of 16 at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Men's Basketball National Championship.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
GOLETA — College of the Canyons fielded two teams at the annual 3C2A State Preview event at Sandpiper Golf Course on Monday, with the Cougars finishing sixth and eighth in the field of 18 teams from around the state. 
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Cason Brownell had a bases-loaded double in the first and added a home run in the sixth to knock in all four runs The Master's needed in a 4-3 win over Westcliff Tuesday in Irvine.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
CSUN Partners with Fernandeño Tataviam Band to Build Urban Forests
Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
April 15: SCAA Presents Debbie Abshear Watercolor Demo
Residents are invited to join members of the Santa Clarita City Council for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of Santa Clarita's 38th park, Skyline Ranch Park, 18355 Skyline Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, to the Santa Clarita parks system on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m.
April 6: Grand Opening for Santa Clarita’s 38th Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising event, Celebrity Waiter, with the theme “California Dreamin’” on Saturday, April 27 at Bella Vida, 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Table Sponsorships Still Available for Celebrity Waiter Dinner
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Ken Striplin | A Fun, Festive, Egg-Filled Day
SCVNews.com