Box Score MNU and John Brown University battled Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. A game that was incredibly intense from start to finish finished with a MNU victory. A
Lucas Machado goal in the 83rd minute was enough to seal the victory for the Pioneers.
MNU got the game going early with a shot that careened of the top bar in the opening minutes of the game. They saw several other good chances go astray before being awarded a penalty kick for a handball in the box, but JBU's goalkeeper made a spectacular save to keep the game level. The Pioneers created a few more chances before the half ended but were unable to take the lead. The second half started much the same way with MNU controlling the opening minutes. Around the 60th minute the tide began to change with the Golden Eagles beginning to get some good chances of their own. MNU's goalkeeper Chris Eriksson made a great save on a JBU shot from outside the box. JBU's goalkeeper had 2 stellar saves of his own from MNU set pieces. And then the breakthrough came.
Matias Fernandez slotted a pass into the box where Machado calmly collected, turned, and fired a shot into the upper corner. The Pioneers held on for the final minutes as JBU pushed for the equalizer. "This was a good win for us today," stated Coach Wardlaw. "JBU worked incredibly hard and their GK had a great game. Our guys stayed with it and there is a lot we can take from this win."
MNU moves their record to 5-2-1 on the season. Next up is another Top-25 opponent in Kansas Wesleyan (3-1) on Wednesday, September 18 at 8:30pm in Salina, Kansas.
