#4 MNU Defeats #17 Missouri Valley

The Pioneers picked up their 2nd conference win this afternoon against #17-ranked Missouri Valley College. These two teams represented half of the Final Four teams in last years' National Championship Tournament. The games between the two sides are always fiercely contested and this one did not disappoint.

For the second game in a row the Pioneers got on the board quickly. In the 6th minute of match, MNU's Jonathan Taylor sent a long throw into the box. Tanner Hunjak was able to hold his position and found himself 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper. He slipped his shot underneath the goalkeeper for the opening goal. MNU continued to press for the second goal but each opportunity was not quite good enough. The Vikings began to play more direct and were dangerous on numerous set pieces and corner kicks. The Pioneer defense held strong and the offensive persistence finally paid off. In the 39th minute, Trae Hunjak played a ball across the box to Clark Campbell. For the second game in a row he finished nicely to the far post. MNU went into the break up 2-0.

The second half started with the Vikings really pressing and trying to create chances to get back in the game. MNU was trying to manage the game while looking for opportunities to extend the lead. Not many chances were created by either team. The humid, hot weather seemed to be taking its toll on the players. In the 68th minute, MVC got themselves back in it. A direct ball was played over the top and a nice pass across the box was finished from close range. With over 20 minutes left in the game the intensity picked up. MNU's response was effective as they again tried to buckle down defensively and look for selective opportunities offensively. In the 88th minute, the Pioneers put the game away. Dominic Harrington tapped in a rebound from a Felipe Abreu shot to make the final score 3-1.

For the game MNU outshot MVC 22-8, with shots on goal being 8-2. MVC's goalkeeper was credited with 5 saves. Juan Pablo Riesco had 1 save for the Pioneers. MVC falls to 3-3-1 (0-1-1) on the season. MNU is now 5-1-1 (2-0). Next up is a road game to conference newcomer Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa on Saturday at 3:30.