The Peacocks defeated Harding University, 2-1, thanks to two late goals by junior midfielder Leandro Pena. With the win, UIU now leads the all-time series against the Bison at 2-1, with  wins in the last two meetings.

The Peacocks opened the game with a great opportunity. Ten minutes into the match, UIU was fouled in the box, drawing a yellow card on Harding midfielder Jacob Stevens and earning a penalty kick for the Peacocks. Junior Rhys Williams took the kick for UIU, but it was saved by the Bison goalkeeper Tyler Melson. With the miss, Williams fell to 2-4 on PKs this season.

Harding then got a penalty shot opportunity of their own. The Peacocks were called for a hand ball within the box at the 26:07 mark and Stevens, who committed the foul that gave the Peacocks their PK, finished the kick for his fourth goal of the year. The Bison would take a 1-0 lead into the halftime break.

The second half started with another great chance for the Peacocks to tie the game. Freshman midfielder Johnny McBeth, the conference leader in goals and points coming into the game, hit a half volley from about six yards out, but Melson was up to the task.

Harding came back with a flurry of shots, including what appeared to be a goal that would give the Bison a comfortable 2-0 lead three minutes into the second half. However, it wasn't meant to be as Harding was called for being offside, negating the Bison score.

The Peacocks nearly tied the game again at the 55:26 mark, this time on a Ryan Pinkerton header off a corner kick from Williams. The ball looked destined to find the net but was cleared off the goal line by Bison defender Kevin Pineda.

But UIU would eventually break through, tying the game in the 72nd minute on a goal from Pena. McBeth played a through ball from midfield and Pena ran onto it, took a shot from the top of the box and beat the Bison goalkeeper just inside the far post. It was Pena's second goal of the year and second in three games.

However, Pena wasn't done. Just over 13 minutes later, he would tickle to twine again. Rafael Pedroso won a 50-50 ball and found Pena nearly 35 yards from goal. Pena ripped a shot, beating Melson and giving the Peacocks the 2-1 lead with less than five minutes remaining. 

Time ticked away and the Peacocks escaped without the Bison taking another shot. The win moved UIU into a tie with Harding in the conference standings at 2-2. 

The Peacocks were outshot during the game, 14-11, but both teams put seven shots on target. Williams led Upper Iowa with three shots, while Pena, McBeth and Jason Bishop took two shots each. UIU goalkeeper Connor Rortvedt made six saves.

UIU will look to improve to 3-2 in conference when they take on Southern Nazarene on Saturday in Bethany, Okla. The game will kick off at 1 p.m.