Pioneers Win Again

Box Score The MNU Men's Soccer team extended their current win streak to five games this afternoon with a win over Graceland University. With all of the rain the last few days, Pioneer Field was in less than stellar condition but the Pioneers managed the situation and won the game 3-0. This is the first win for MNU over Graceland in the regular season since 2008. Their last win over the Yellow Jackets previous to today was in the conference tournament in 2011. That MNU team went on to win the conference tournament and qualified for the NAIA National Tournament as a result.
 
The first half was a back and forth affair. MNU started the game well and were controlling play. They created 2 good chances but could not capitalize. The Yellowjackets took some time to settle into the game but once they did they had the better of play for the remainder of the first half. They only forced Yann Passet to make one save but had numerous set pieces and a fair bit of play just outside the area.
 
The second half started much the same way that the first half ended. Graceland had the better of play but again were not really creating chances. MNU took some time to settle into the half but once they did the game turned quickly. In the 55th minute, Alvaro Beltran forced a turnover deep in the Yellowjacket area. He played a ball to Jelani Jillo who neatly one touched a pass into the box for Niklas Larsson to put away far post. MNU continued to press and in the 67th minute, Jeremie Koffi played a long ball that caught the Graceland defense out of position. Felipe Abreu ran onto the ball, calmly touched it around the onrushing goalkeeper and passed the ball into the open net. The Pioneers were not done. Just 66 seconds later the score was 3-0. Abreu collected a ball played into the box. His shot was saved by the Graceland goalkeeper but the rebound fell neatly to Atanas Karagyaurov and he put the ball away from close range.
 
For the game, MNU outshot GU 10-8 with shots on goal being 6-1. Graceland's goalkeeper was credited with 3 saves. Passet and Juan Pablo Riesco combined for the shutout with just 1 save. Graceland goes to 2-9-1 (0-2) on the year. MNU is now 9-1-1 (2-0). Next up for the Pioneer is Baker University. The team will travel to Baldwin City on Tuesday night for an 8:30 pm kickoff.