Box Score Records
Upper Iowa (8-5-2, 3-2-2 MIAA) || Southwest Baptist (0-15-1, 0-6-1)
Recap
For the second consecutive year, the Southwest Baptist Bearcats gave the Upper Iowa Men's Soccer team a run for their money. Last season, SBU entered Fayette and crushed UIU in a 4-1 loss. This time around in Bolivar, Missouri, the Bearcats and Peacocks played to a 1-1 tie – hurting Upper Iowa's chances at a postseason run.
The Bearcats came out strong and took the lead in the 23rd minute of play thanks to a heads-up play from Kaleb Romero. The leading scorer for the Bearcats, Romero headed a long cross over the UIU goalkeeper before ensuring he found the back of the net with a soft tap. For Romero, it was his ninth goal of the season, which is tops in the MIAA conference.
Much like they've done all season, the Peacocks responded in the second period.
Ryan Pinkerton entered the game in the 69th minute and made an immediate impact. The freshman from Apple Valley, California got on the end of a pass from
Leandro Pena and found the net with a header for his fourth goal of the season. For Pena, it was his fifth assist of the year which ties him for second on the team.
The Peacocks had the momentum, but unfortunately it died there. The Peacocks failed to find the back of the net for the go-ahead goal despite two overtime periods.
The tie drops UIU to 8-5-2 this year overall and 3-2-2 in the MIAA.
Stat of the Game
The Peacocks outshot their hosts 15 to 10, but only had three shots on goal compared to 5 for SBU.
Sounding Off
Head Coach Jason Carlson After the Tie...
General Thoughts… "It is frustrating, but SBU deserves a lot of credit – they've had a tough year, but they came out hard and they worked to get on the board first. I felt like our guys were ready to go from the start and we brought good energy, but their goal came on a mistake we made near the net and they made us pay. Don't get me wrong – we had chances, but we just couldn't finish them. I think the game came down to those chances and a lack of execution in the final third."
On Pinkerton's Goal… "We swung the ball from the right to the left and Pena went to the end-line before chipping it to the post. Ryan made a good run and put it away. The goal came because we switched the point of attack and Leandro put in a good ball."
On the MIAA Playoff Situation for UIU… "This tie puts some things out of our control. If we win on Saturday then we should be fine, but it's not black and white. Some teams have nine conference games and some, like us, have eight. You kind of have to wait and see."
On Playing Lindenwood Next… "It's a good opportunity for us because they are a good team. They haven't lost all year and their only tie came against us. You can be sure they're going to be motivated to play us, but I know our guys are excited too. It's going to be a good game."
Up Next
The Peacocks will take on the number five team in the nation and number one team in the MIAA in Lindenwood University on Saturday in St. Charles, Missouri at 1 p.m.
