Box Score
Box Score
In an eerily familiar start – one that resembled last Friday’s 3-1 loss to the Fort Hays State Tigers – the Peacocks had all the momentum early against visiting Southwest Baptist. They outshot their opponent, scored early and played well on defense. But as the second half started and the rain subsided, so too did the Peacock surge.
The Bearcats recorded four unanswered goals in the second period to steal a conference victory from UIU at home. The 4-1 loss drops UIU to 5-11 overall this year and 2-6 in the MIAA.
For freshman midfielder
Jared Devine, there is just something about playing SBU that he likes. The Herscher, Illinois native scored his first collegiate goal against the Bearcats back on September 20th in a 3-2 victory and in the six minute of action on Friday he found the back of the net again.
Jared Newman controlled a cross inside the Bearcats’ 18-yard box before sending it Devine’s way. Trying to find some room in a crowd of defenders and teammates, Devine collected the ball, turned and fired just his second shot on goal this season. The right goalpost helped as the ball ricocheted off it and into the net.
UIU’s 1-0 lead was the third time in three matches that the team earned an early 1-0 lead. It was also the third time in as many matches that the Peacocks lost that lead.
After holding SBU to just eight shots in the first half, the Peacocks defense collapsed and gave way to four unanswered scores on seven shots.
Kaleb Romero scored back-to- back goals for the Bearcats before two shots deflected off of Peacock defenders and into the net.
It was the third time in seven days UIU has given up three or more goals and it was the second time in two games the offense outshot their opponent, but still lost.
UIU will look to bounce back against the number one team in the MIAA conference on Sunday as they host Lindenwood University at Pattison Field. Earlier in the season, the Peacocks dropped a close match to the Lions in Missouri, 1-0, but played a very strong first half. It will be the last home game for the men’s program as they finish the season on the road against Truman State on October 26th. The Peacocks and Lions match will begin at 2 p.m.
