Pioneers Fall at #20 OKWU

The Pioneer Men's Soccer team went on the road for the first time in this young season Wednesday night. They faced up against a very tough #20 ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan team in an earlier season thriller. The game had the potential to be great game between two very good teams and it did not disappoint. 
 
After a delay in the start because of a double overtime thriller between the respective women's teams the men's game got off to a fast start. MNU got on the board in just the 4th minute with a beautiful team goal. Eddie Morales made the final pass to Cameron Wallace who put the ball past the OKWU goalkeeper. Just 11 minutes later the game was tied. OKWU responded with a great sequence of team passing that led to a tap in for Jack McGowan. In the 23rd minute, MNU went back on top with a magnificent individual effort by Tanner Hunjak. His work rate up top forced a turnover which he then turned and buried into the upper corner from a tough angle. Once again the Eagles responded well. Just six minutes later they tied the match for the second time with a goal from a corner kick. The half arrived with a 2-2 score.
 
The second half lacked the same level of scoring, but no less drama. Just 4 minutes into the half the lights at OKWU's stadium went out. After a 20-minute delay the game resumed. Both teams were creating chances and MNU had the slight edge on the possession. In the 64th minute, an OKWU player was ejected with a straight red card for a retaliation foul. MNU had the man advantage but could not capitalize on their chances. In the 79th minute, a mistake on a clearance by MNU in the box gave the Eagles' Fernando Machado a clear look at the goal. He did not falter and OKWU went up 3-2. MNU's response in the last 11 minutes was not enough and they fell for the first time this year.
 
For the game, MNU outshot OKWU 15-10, with SOG being 8-6. Luka Stojanovik for OKWU was credited with 5 saves. Juan Pablo Riesco for MNU had 3 saves. OKWU goes to 1-0 on the season. MNU falls to 1-1. The next game is at home on Saturday, August 29 against Northwestern College out of Iowa at 3:30.