The Pioneers came out on top Saturday afternoon, 1-0, over the Grand View University Vikings. The win came on a special afternoon for the Pioneers. MNU took part in the Defeat All Cancer movement, to raise awareness for those affected by all cancers.
The game started similarly for the Pioneers as they went back and forth with the Vikings, looking to break into the game. The Pioneers possessed the ball well in the first half, but lacked the finishing touch to put them on the scoreboard. The Pioneer defense was also kept busy in the first half, having to withstand the offensive power of Grand View. The teams went into halftime in a deadlock, looking for ways to get themselves on the score sheet.
It didn't take long in the second half for MNU to finally break the tie. MNU was awarded a corner kick just 3 minutes into the half. Defender
Kelli Reid placed a perfect ball into the box and found the feet of defender Sarah Schmidt, who caught the ball on the half volley, placing the ball past the Vikings keeper and into the back of the net.
Once again, the Pioneer backline, along with keeper
Lexi Gochnauer, held on to the 1-0 lead with a strong defensive performance.
MNU finished the game with an 8-5 shot advantage, 5-1 with shots on goal. The Pioneers will take the week to prepare before they head out on the road to play William Penn on Saturday at 1:00 in Oskaloosa, IA.
Â
