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Records
Upper Iowa (6-4-1, 2-1-1 MIAA) || Clarke University (1-11, 0-3 MCC)
Recap
On Tuesday, Head Men's Soccer Coach
Jason Carlson asked his freshmen midfielder
Ty Johnson if he was ready to play a full 90 minutes against Clarke University on Wednesday. The answer he got must have been a resounding yes because Johnson scored two goals and added two assists in the first half against the Crusaders as the Peacocks blew past the coach's former team, 5-0, in a non-conference game at home.
The win gives UIU a 6-4-1 record overall this year, while Clarke falls to 1-11 after the loss. For Carlson and former Crusader Aaron Calkins the win meant a little more to them after both made the switch to Upper Iowa prior to the 2013 season.
Calkins didn't seem to be phased that he was playing his old team though. In the 12th minute, Calkins found Johnson with a volley off his head which opened up the left side of the net for Johnson. The freshman finished the ball with his left foot from 14 yards out to earn his first goal as a Peacock. It wouldn't take long for him to add another.
In the 24th minute, Johnson scored again. This time, he was inside the box and finished with his right foot after the ball was knocked around a bit. Johnson smashed the ball off the crossbar before it hit the back of the net. The goal gave UIU a 2-0 advantage early in the game and Clarke was never able to catch up.
Leandro Pena got in on the action in the 32nd minute as he beat the Crusaders' goalkeeper and looped one of Johnson's passes to the back right post to extend the Peacocks' lead to 3-0. Pena's goal against Clarke was very similar to his game-winner that he had last Friday over Harding University in overtime. His score bumped his goal total up to three this year.
UIU kept up the pressure before the halftime and again, it was Johnson who created another goal-scoring opportunity.
This time, Jared Newman got on the end of a Johnson pass and scored from 8 yards out. Johnson and Pena were both awarded an assist after some fancy passing past the Clarke defense. The goal was Newman's fourth this season.
In the second half, the Peacocks would add one final goal as Henrique Cunha earned his second goal of the season in the 67th minute against the Crusaders. Jason Bishop found Cunha just to the left of the net and the sophomore buried his shot from ten yards out.
Despite UIU's scoring barrage ceasing there, Johnson wasn't quite done.
With just over one minute remaining in the game, Johnson went for the hat trick. His shot from 22 yards out ricocheted off the crossbar and down, but missed the net and was harmlessly brushed away.
In all, Johnson finished tied with a team-high five shots, three of which he placed on frame in a game he'll never forget.
Stat of the Game
The Peacocks outshot the Crusaders, 24-8 in Wednesday's game including, 11-3 in the first half.
UIU Standouts
Johnson (2 goals, 2 assists), Pena (1 goal, two assists), Cunha (1 goal), Calkins (1 assist), Bishop (1 assist)
Sounding Off
Head Coach Jason Carlson
On the Win Over Your Former Team… "It feels good to get the win. It's more about our guys being able to continue the progress that they've made. This was a good response after they lost their first home game of the season this past Sunday. I'm really encouraged about the performance and the big picture. I'm excited about the direction we're going."
On Ty Johnson's Performance… "As a freshman he did a really good job. Obviously he was ready to play today. For me, it was neat to see how excited his teammates were for him. It's always good to see that camaraderie within the team."
Any Adjustments Needed… "Defensively, I think we need to clean some things up, especially in the final third. I think the guys are doing pretty well and they're getting wins – at the end of the day, that's what you want."
On the Week Off… "This week off is going to be nice. We're going to give the guys a break – let them recover, give them a chance to get away from each other for a little bit and get caught up with any homework. We're also going to try to get healthy – we'll get Cuesta back and hopefully Rhys can make some progress."
On Your Next Opponent… "We just want to see some good results on the road – that really hasn't happened with us yet. That's going to be a big challenge for us playing those four road games and some back-to-back games."
Up Next
The Peacocks will take a week off before continuing conference play. UIU will face Southern Nazarene University on Oct. 17 before playing Fort Hays State the very next day.
