The Standard

Issue date: 9/18/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Matt Moore

There has been one man on the Missouri State men's soccer team that they have been able to call upon to score goals.

Last year, Kyle Windmueller was the leading scorer for the team with 16 points. The Bears needed him to bring that talent back for 2008.

Last Friday, he did. He was able to get past two defenders and put the ball in the back of the net against Cal Poly, one of the top 50 teams in the nation.

Then the floodgates opened. Missouri State's recent offensive struggles were gone.

"It was good to get us over the hump," Windmueller said. "It was just nice to actually have the lead first in a game. That is something that we're not used to, but we were all able to relax a little bit."

With Windmueller's goal, the Bears upset Cal Poly 2-1 in overtime and tied No. 2 Akron 1-1 two days later.

"Kyle was able to get past a couple of guys and put a really nice shot on the lower, back post," coach Jon Leamy said. "He just attacked the defense. Kyle can just go out there and go after the defense. Goals don't come easy. It gave a us a great lift and a rush."

The team was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. They were able to put points on the board.

"It had a big affect on the team," Leamy said. "It put us up on Cal Poly, and it set them back early. They came back, but we were able to get another goal in overtime. It was a hell of a game."

Before joining Missouri State, Windmueller led his high school team in Cedar Hill in scoring as a four-year starter. He holds state records for larger high schools, one for scoring six goals in a game and another for scoring 29 in a single season.

In his high school career, Windmueller scored 77 goals.

He played baseball, basketball and football for his high school before deciding to play soccer for Missouri State.

"It was just a good fit for him here," Leamy said. "He just felt comfortable here. He liked everything from the academics and social aspects to the athletics, definitely the athletics. From our standpoint, we looked at him and realized that this was a kid who was going to get better."

And he did. As a freshman, Windmueller was played as a midfielder.

"He has played multiple roles for the team," Leamy said. "We played him at the wide midfield position at first, and then we moved him up front."

Off the field, Windmueller spends most of his time in class, at study hall or just hanging with his teammates.

He hopes to own his own restaurant or bar in the future.

"My parents own a few car lots in St. Louis," Windmueller said. "I don't know, I always wanted to do my own thing and be my own boss."

Until then, he plans to keep playing soccer for the Bears and keep scoring goals.­­­­

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