Pioneers Score Early Against William Penn

The MNU Men's Soccer team wrapped up the non-conference portion of their schedule Saturday afternoon with a convincing 3-0 win over William Penn University. The Statesmen from WPU will be joining the Heart of America Conference next year so this match will become an annual affair.
 
The Pioneers, once again, got started early. In just 14 seconds, MNU was up 1-0. From the kickoff, the Pioneers played the ball forward and after a miscued clearance, Eddie Morales found himself just outside the box. He connected well on a shot that was saved by the WPU goalkeeper. The ensuing rebound fell right to Lucas Machado and he tapped the ball into the net for the opening goal. MNU continuing to press for the remainder of the half but could not find the second goal. The Pioneers dominated the stats in the first half with a 9-0 lead on shots and a 5-0 lead on corner kicks. The Statesmen goalkeeper was kept busy with 5 saves in the opening stanza.
 
The second half started much the same way. MNU was controlling possession and WPU was looking for counter attack opportunities and set pieces. They forced MNU's goalkeeper, Yann Passet to make 2 saves in the half. WPU also managed to earn 3 corner kick opportunities, but MNU's backline refused to be beaten for the second consecutive game. As the Statesmen became more desperate for the tying goal the game began to open up. The Pioneers were finally able to extend the lead in the 81st minute. WPU cleared the ball out of the area after a set piece attempt by the Pioneers, and Jeremie Koffi received the ball and dumped it back into the area. Aurelien Norest won the ball and played it back across the box for Atanas Karagyaurov, who collected the ball, sidestepped one defender and slotted the ball past the keeper to give MNU a 2-0. Less than one minute later the Pioneers put the game away. Karagyaurov played a ball into the box for Cameron Wallace. He collected the ball and was fouled in the box by a WPU defender. Karagyaurov stepped up and put the penalty kick away for a 3-0 lead.
 
For the game MNU outshot WPU 17-3, with SOG being 9-2. WPU's goalkeeper was credited with 6 saves. Passet collected 2 saves and the shutout victory. William Penn falls to 5-4 on the year.

MNU is 7-1-1. Conference play starts next Saturday for the Pioneers at Central Methodist University at 2:00.