The MNU Men's Soccer team came home victorious for the second weekend in a row on Saturday after a thrilling 2-1 victory over Central Methodist University. The “heart attack kids” would be an appropriate moniker for the team, as once again they left the final goal in the game to the very end. In a game that had serious conference implications, the team would take the victory any way they could get it.
MNU got on the board first with an unassisted goal by
Luke Pontin in the 18th minute. He got in behind CMU's defense and made a nice individual move to free himself for the shot and goal. Neither team created much for the rest of the half as ball was not in play all that much given that CMU's field is only 65 yards wide. The half ended with MNU up 1-0.
Just 6 minutes into the second half, CMU tied the game. Murun Altankhuyag scored off of a nice assist by Erwin Sanchez Jr. MNU looked rattled by the goal and it took some time for them to regain a foothold in the game. With about 15 minutes left in the half you could feel the tide beginning to change. MNU began creating more opportunities through their dominate possession play and CMU appeared to be wearing out.
Trent Remmich missed 2 good chances with shots that were not on target, but finally with just 24 seconds left in the game, MNU scored the go-ahead goal. Off of a long throw in by
Eddie Morales,
Aurelien Norest was able to get a head on the ball and redirect it to
Tyler Hageman. He took the ball on the half volley and banged into the back of the net. The Pioneers were able to run out the clock and the victory was theirs.
For the game MNU outshot CMU 13-5, with SOG being 4-1. CMU's goalkeeper German Schacht was credited with 2 saves. Chris Eriksson did not tally a save in the game in picking up the win. CMU falls to 8-5-1 (2-3 HAAC) on the season. MNU moves their record to 10-1-5 (3-1-1 HAAC). The next game for the Pioneers is Wednesday at Avila at 2:30.
