Men's Soccer Falls to Baker in HAAC Semifinal

MNU lost to Baker University this afternoon in the HAAC Tournament semifinal. The final score was 2-1. Baker will move on to play the winner of Missouri Valley and Culver-Stockton in the final on Saturday. MNU will have to wait for the National Tournament selection on Sunday evening to see if they receive an At-Large bid.
 
The game did not start well for the Pioneers. In just the 3rd minute, Austin Shiney scored for Baker. The wind was against MNU in the half and they did not create many chances. Baker used the wind to pin the Pioneers into their half and were dangerous on set pieces a few times. MNU held on for the remainder of the half and went into the break down 1-0.
 
In the second half, the game changed ends. MNU used the wind to press Baker and pin them in their own end and created multiple opportunities off of set pieces and the tying goal looked like it was inevitable.  In the 73rd minute, that momentum took a turn when MNU's Niklas Larsson was issued his second yellow card of the match and MNU was forced to play a man down. In the 76th minute, Baker extended the lead. Thomas Sharp headed in a cross from Jordan Thacker to make the score 2-0. MNU responded very well and just 30 seconds later, the Pioneers scored a goal. Cameron Wallace was fouled in the box and Jelani Jillo stepped up to net the ensuing penalty kick. MNU continued to press for the tying goal in the remaining minutes. They had a shot go off of the post and a goal was called back for offsides with just 2 minutes left, and Baker held on for the 2-1 win.
 
For the game, MNU outshot Baker 15-8, with SOG being 5-3. The Wildcat goalkeeper was credited with 4 saves. Yann Passet for MNU had 1 save in the match. MNU is now 12-3-2 on the season.  The NAIA will release the National Tournament selections at 7:30 on Sunday night.