Box Score The annual battle with Baker University once again did not disappoint as MNU with a double overtime thriller 2-1. Both teams came into the game sporting top-25 national rankings in this week's poll with Baker at #14 and MNU ranked #19. Both teams came into the game with similar overall records  with Baker at 8-3-1 and MNU at 9-3-1. Two years ago MNU gave Baker their first loss of the season before Baker went on to the national semifinals. Last year Baker gave MNU their first loss of the season before MNU went on to the national semifinals. The similarities and story lines seem too good to be true, and so this epic battle played out true to form.
Baker opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a goal by senior Ben Coyle. He received a pass from Robert Hoeven and neatly finished his shot to the back post. At this point in the game neither team had created many chances. Most of the play was in the midfield and the contrasting styles of play was beginning to unfold. MNU's
Atanas Karagyaurov had a great chance off of a corner kick in the opening minutes but his header went just over the bar. The Pioneers found themselves down 1-0 but responded very well. A series of passes led to
Taylor Esparza crossing the ball into the box where several MNU players were looking to score. The referee blew his whistle for a foul against Baker in the box and awarded MNU a penalty kick.
Lippi Souza stepped up and buried the PK and just 1 minute and 20 seconds after Baker's goal, the game was level at 1. The half ended without either team threatening the goal.
The second half started much the same way. The Pioneers were trying to establish some possession and Baker was looking to counter and play to the wings or create set pieces in the area. Baker had the better of play for much of the opening minutes as their pressure was effective in disrupting MNU's passing. The game almost took a turn for MNU in the 63rd minute. Baker's goalkeeper was called for a foul in the box and MNU was awarded their second penalty kick. Matt Bickley, the Wildcat GK was up for the challenge though as he made the PK save to keep the game level. At this point the game began to change. MNU was better with their passing and began to create chances in the area. But each Keeper was only called on to make 1 save a piece for their respective teams in the second half and the game went into overtime.
MNU almost won it on a set piece in the opening seconds of the first overtime period. Just a few seconds later Baker almost won it on a counter attack, but Stephan Philippe and
Jeremie Koffi made great defensive plays to keep Baker from getting a shot. MNU had more chances in the 1st OT but could not find the winning goal. In the 2nd overtime period Baker came out and had the better of play. They created several opportunities from set pieces and MNU was forced to stand tall to preserve the game. Just when it seemed like the game would end in a draw, Baker was called for a foul out wide near midfield.
Taylor Esparza stepped up for MNU and drove a beautiful 60-yard ball into the box where MNU's
Jonathan Babcock rose to head the ball past Bickley and into the back of the net. The sudden victory goal came with just 1 minute and 36 seconds left, and the Pioneers were victorious with a 2-1 double overtime win.
For the game, MNU outshot Baker 15-10 with SOG being 5-2. Baker falls to 8-4-1 (2-1 HAAC).
"Our guys always look forward to the Baker game," said Coach Wardlaw. "We always know it will be a battle regardless of how the seasons are going for each team. Coach Hauser does a great job with his team and he had to replace a ton of seniors last year and he has taken a young group and really developed them quickly. This game could have gone either way today. We needed this win badly and I am very proud of the guys for the way they gutted it out today. A special thanks to all of our fans who came out and went crazy for us. They were awesome today."
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MNU is 10-3-1 (2-1-0 HAAC). The next game is Homecoming on Saturday at 3:00 vs. Culver-Stockton (3-9-1, 1-2-0).
