The MNU Men's Soccer team's improbable run through the NAIA National Tournament continued Wednesday with 1-0 victory over Auburn Montgomery University. With the win the Pioneers advance to their first ever appearance in the semifinal round of the tournament.
Aurelien Norest scored in the 55th minute from a corner kick play.
Gyer Vierthaler served the ball into the box where
Matias Fernandez was able to flick the ball to the back post where Norest was making his run. He finished from close range to give MNU the lead. Prior to that the Pioneers had several opportunities to take the lead. In one sequence, Fernandez hit the post on his shot and then immedietly on the rebound
Trent Remmich hit the post again. After the breakthrough goal the Pioneers had to hang on for dear life. AUM began to throw everything forward and for the last 35 minutes MNU were pinned into their own area. The entire team's defensive effort was extrodanary and when time ran out the Pioneers were headed to their first ever final four.
For the game AUM outshot MNU 17-13, with SOG being 7-5. AUM's goalkeeper was credited with 4 saves. Chris Eriksson was credited with 7 saves. AUM's season ends with a 18-4-2 record. MNU moves their record to 13-1-9 on the year. The NAIA publication can be found
HERE.
MNU's semi-final game will be Friday at 2:30pm. They will face off against the University of Mobile. The two teams matched up early in the year with the final score being 2-2. The winner of this game will move on to the National Championship game on Saturday against the winner of Belhaven University vs Lindsey Wilson College.
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