The Peacock men's soccer team got a goal with 2:01 to play in their match against Fort Hays State and kept the pressure on in both overtime periods looking for the win. Upper Iowa fired eight shots in the overtime periods, but came up empty and ended the match in a 1-1 tie with the Tigers. After the draw, Upper Iowa moved to 9-6-2 overall and 5-5-1 in the MIAA, while Fort Hays State is now 11-3-3 on the year and 8-2-2 in the conference.
Both teams took 9 shots in the first half, but neither team put the ball into the net. In the second half, the Peacocks outshot their guests 10-4, but Fort Hays State was the first team to mark the scoreboard. Austin Clifton fired a shot that rocketed off the crossbar and ricocheted to the foot of Brian Ness, who put the ball over the goal line for a 1-0 Tiger lead. The goal came with 11:17 to play in the game.
UIU put the heat on their attack and with just over two minutes to play the home team struck back.
Rafael Pedroso put a big move on his defender to get free in the box and send a low cross to
Johnny McBeth. The freshman forward drove the ball into the net past the keeper to tie the match with his seventh goal of the season.
The Peacocks claimed an 8-4 advantage in shots during the 20 minutes of overtime play, but neither offense posted the game winner.
Connor Rortvedt made four saves while allowing just one goal in his 110 minutes in goal.
With the tie, the Peacocks have pulled even with Lindenwood in third place in the MIAA standings and now have a three point lead over Harding, who is in fifth. Lindenwood defeated Harding 5-0 this evening.
Upper Iowa will play their final regular season game of the season at home this Saturday, Nov. 1, at 11 a.m. on Pattison Field. The Peacocks will advance to the MIAA Soccer Championships with a win or tie against Harding.
