Stats | Thursday's NAIA Game of the Week matchup between #8 MidAmerica Nazarene University and #15 Kansas Wesleyan University did not disappoint. Both teams came out ready for the showdown in this cross-conference matchup. A good crowd lined the sideline and there was a buzz in the air as the teams, fans, and coaches prepared for a great college soccer match.
MNU did not take long to get on the board. In the 5th minute,
Rodrigo Rivas headed in a beautiful pass from a corner kick by
Gyer Vierthaler to make the score 1-0. KWU came right back and created a very good chance but the shot went just wide as MNU goalkeeper Chris Eriksson did a good job of cutting down the angle. With KWU pressing to get the equalizer, the game opened up a bit. The Pioneers found themselves with several counter attack opportunities and in the 21st minute,
Luke Pontin finished off a beautiful pass by Vierthaler to put MNU up 2-0. The Pioneers were not done and just 1 minute 11 seconds later
Trent Remmich scored off an assist from Pontin. With MNU up 3-0 the game seemed to be well in hand, but like any ranked team, Kansas Wesleyan did not give up. Just 42 seconds later a long ball into the box created a collision between MNU's Keeper and KWU's striker. A penalty kick was awarded and Javier Cervantes stepped up to coolly slot it into the back of the net. This goal breathed life into the game once again, and at the halftime whistle MNU led 3-1.
In the second half, KWU was pressing and trying to create opportunities to get back in the game while MNU was managing the game and looking for counter attacks and opportunities to extend the lead. Each team missed multiple opportunities to score goals as the goalkeepers were up to the task. Without the scoring barrage of the first half, the second half wore on without a change in the score line. The final whistle blew and MNU had won the game 3-1.
For the game MNU outshot KWU 19-11, with shots on goal being 8-4 in KWU's favor. Alex Montiel for KWU was credited with 1 save. Eriksson for MNU was credited with 7 saves in earning the win. Kansas Wesleyan drops to 4-2-1 on the season while MNU moves to 6-0-3. The next game is on the road at McPherson College (4-1). The game time has changed from its original set and is now at 7:30 on Saturday night.
