Pioneers Win in Final Second

The MNU Men's Soccer team is no stranger to drama when it comes to their matches. Over the years they have had multiple overtime games, games decided by penalty kicks, ESPN worthy plays caught on video, and the list goes on. You can add this afternoon's finish to that list. Benedictine was in town for the opening round of the Heart of America Conference Tournament. Their regular season meeting a few weeks ago in Atchison saw MNU come from 2 goals down to win the match 3-2.
 
The Pioneers started really well in the match and controlled the game from start to finish. The drama of the game unfolded within that context. In the 18th minute, MNU's Cam Wallace scored to give the Pioneers the lead. Matias Cabello played a set piece into the box and after a Raven player redirected the ball, Wallace was there to smash the ball home from close range. MNU continued to press for more goals and created a handful of good opportunities that just missed or were saved. Then right before half the Ravens tied the game. A mistake in the back by MNU gifted a goal to Benedictine's Adam James.
 
The second half is best characterized by the following: MNU played just outside the BC penalty area for a majority of the half but could not get the final pass or shot quite right. Benedictine waited for their opportunity to counter attack by getting all their numbers behind the ball and breaking out when they got the chance. One of those chances came close late in the half.

As the game clock wound down the match seemed destined for overtime. As the PA announcer counted the clock down from 10 seconds, MNU's Alvaro Beltran collected a ball at midfield. He wisely made the decision to dump the ball into the box. With the announcer at 3 seconds, Tanner Hunjak fought his way to the ball and flicked a header past the BC goalkeeper. As the announcer said 1 second the ball crossed the goal line for the dramatic finish. MNU moves on to the conference semifinal with a 2-1 victory.
 
For the game MNU outshot BC 32-5, with SOG being 7-3. The Raven goalkeeper was credited with 5 saves. Juan Pablo Riesco had 2 saves in the match for MNU. Benedictine finishes their season with a 9-7-1 record. MNU is now 14-4-1. The next match will take place on Tuesday, November 10 at 2-seed and #5-ranked Missouri Valley.