The No. 14 Peacocks men's soccer team surrendered three second half goals in a 3-2 loss to Fort Hays State on Thursday afternoon. Upper Iowa took a two-goal lead into the halftime break before FHSU rallied for their goals. The loss moves UIU to 7-2-1 and 2-2 in conference play, while Fort Hays State, who was receiving votes in the national poll, improved to 8-3-0 and 2-1 in MIAA play.
Twenty minutes into the first half, UIU got on the board.
Hugo Alves and
Johnny McBeth worked the ball down the left side, eventually finding
Ryan Pinkerton in the box, where he was able to rip a shot past the Tigers goalkeeper.
With about three minutes left in the opening half,
Blair Lyons sent cross into the box and
Joaquin Alonso put a header to the near post and into the net to give UIU a 2-0 lead.
The Tigers struck back quickly in the second half, scoring on a penalty kick less than two minutes into the half. Less than 20 minutes later, FHSU tied the game on a counter attack. A few minutes later, Fort Hays State took the lead when a cross drifted in on goal and snuck in just under the bar.
UIU made a strong effort over the final 10 minutes to score the equalizer, but couldn't get many opportunities with Fort Hays State putting as many players back as possible.
Ludin Gonzales made one save in his first game in goal for the Peacocks this season, while
Gabriel Caetano and
Rhys Williams led UIU with three shots each.
Upper Iowa will be back on the pitch on Sunday against Viterbo University as game two of a doubleheader with the Peacocks women's soccer team. The men's game is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m.
