Pioneers Advance to the Finals

Bracket

For the second time in the national tournament, Tanner Hunjak scored 2 goals off the bench to propel MNU to a 4-2 victory over Lindenwood-Belleville in the semifinals. Hunjak scored 2 of MNU's 3 goals, including the game-winner, in the Opening Round win two weeks ago.

Matias Cabello got the scoring started in the 17th minute when Cam Wallace found him on a run. Cabello spun through a defender and beat the keeper with a left-footed strike to put MNU up 1-0. In the 34th minute, Hunjak ripped a shot past the keeper after collecting a pass from Cabello, and the Pioneers led by 2. Just over a minute later, Hunjak struck again. Etienne Proult fired a cross through the box and Hunjak slid to beat the Lynx defenders. MNU led 3-0 at halftime.

LU-B fought back in the second half. Goals in the 54th and 57th minutes got the Lynx within one, but Cam Wallace put the game on ice in the 63rd minute with a breakaway goal. Cabello sent a pass to the top of the box and the Lynx defender fell trying to clear it. Wallace found himself one on one with the keeper, calmly dribbled around him and scored MNU's 4th.

Lindenwood-Belleville out-shot the Pioneers 15-6, but all 4 MNU shots on goal found the back of the net.

MNU is 18-5-1 and moves on to their first national championship final. They will face #1 Rio Grande (22-1) on Saturday at 4:00 central.