Pioneers Advance to Final Site!

Box Score Clip | For the second year in a row the MNU Men's Soccer team will advance to the Final Site of the NAIA National Championship Tournament in Montgomery, Alabama. The Pioneers tied Kansas Wesleyan University 0-0 after two overtime periods, but advance by defeating KWU in a penalty kick shootout 4-2. 
 
For the second game in a row the Pioneers could not score a goal even after creating numerous opportunities in both halves. Give credit to KWU, as they defended very well, and were prepared to battle until the final whistle. Both teams had to endure the conditions as the wind chill during the match was in the teens. There was very little flow to the game as both teams struggled with possession but again this is due, in part, to the excellent defending that both teams are known for. KWU has only given up 14 goals all season and MNU is close behind, having given up 16 on the year. KWU's conference Goalkeeper of the Year came up with 7 saves in the game and did his part to preserve the draw. MNU's Chris Eriksson was only called on to make 1 save in regulation but it was an important one. KWU's only shot on goal was a 1-on-1 on the goalkeeper and Eriksson made a terrific save. MNU almost won the game in the 1st overtime on a corner kick but the point blank shot went just wide of the goal.
 
In the penalty kick shootout, MNU showed its class. Lippi Souza, Alvaro Beltran, Matias Fernandez, and Jelani Jillo stepped up and buried their PKs. KWU made their first 2 shots and then Eriksson came to life. He made 2 incredible saves on KWU's third and fourth PKs to win the match and send MNU onto the Round of 16. For the game MNU outshot KWU 15-6; with SOG being 7-1. KWU's season ends with a final record of 13-4-3.

MNU moves their record to 14-4-3. The next round of the national tournament will take place December 2-7. Game day and times will be announced soon.