For the first time in school history, the Upper Iowa men's soccer team has won a conference championship. The No. 20 Peacocks claimed the MIAA Championship after defeating No. 25 Fort Hays State 1-0 under the lights in Hays, Kansas on Friday evening.
 
The conference championship is the 36th in UIU history and marks the third different conference in which the Peacocks have won a championship. Upper Iowa won 29 IIAC Championships at the NCAA Division III level and has now won 7 championships since moving up to NCAA Division II. This is the first championship UIU has won in the MIAA and the first championship since the Peacocks wrestling program took home the NSIC title in 2009-10.
 
After a scoreless first half in which UIU held the Tigers without a shot, the Peacocks scored the lone goal of the match in the 79th minute. Sophomore Johnny McBeth buried a rebound after the FHSU made a save on senior Rhys Williams' free kick.
 
In the final five minutes of the match, Fort Hays State put a lot of pressure on the UIU defense. The Tigers had a pair of corner kicks and took two shots, placing one on net, but the Peacock defense was able to hold strong for the win.
 
With the victory, Upper Iowa improved to 13-3-1, extending their school-record for wins in a single season. UIU finished the season undefeated in road matches, going 6-0 when playing at their opponents' field. The Peacocks also picked up their first win in school history over the Tigers, wrapping up the 2015 season with first ever victories over Lindenwood, Northeastern State and Fort Hays State.
 
UIU will now have wait to see if they have made it to the NCAA National Tournament. The Peacocks came into the game No. 2 in the Central Region, behind Fort Hays State. With the win, Upper Iowa will likely move to the top spot in the region. The top two teams from the Central Region will meet in the NCAA Round of 16 at the home of the top-ranked team from Midwest Region, which is currently Rockhurst University.