Pioneers Advance in Double Overtime

The Basics
Score: MNU 3 - Mt. Mercy 1
Record: MNU (12-3-4), MMU (9-5-4)
Location: Pioneer Field - Olathe, Kan.

OLATHE, Kan. - #21 MNU advanced to the conference tournament championship with a 3-1 overtime victory over Mt. Mercy on Tuesday. The Mustangs scored first in the 17th minute, but a late 1st-half sub found the equalizer. Dennis Palacios entered the game and made immediate impact, scoring with an assist from another sub - Abdullah Ahmed - for a 1-1 halftime score. The game went into overtime, and the new rules say that all 20 minutes of the extra periods are to be played regardless of scores. Diego Calderon found the head of Rick Hovinga early in the first overtime, and Hovinga scored for a 2-1 lead. The Mustangs pressed desperately over the next 15 minutes, and the Pioneers were able to counter in the 110th minute when Preston McKay's breakaway shot was deflected to Nicolas Theberge, who put home the 3rd goal to ice the match.

Turning Point
Rick Hovinga's goal in the 1st overtime was the game winner.

Individual Leaders
Dennis Palacios, Rick Hovinga, and Nicolas Theberge each had a goal. Abdullah Ahmed, Diego Calderon, and Preston McKay recorded assists. And Enzo Carvalho had 2 saves.

Up Next
The next match is the Conference Tournament Championship on Friday at #14 Missouri Valley (12-5, 9-2) at 7:00.