The Peacock men's soccer picked up their biggest win of the season on Friday afternoon at Pattison Field. Upper Iowa used outstanding defense to upset the No. 21 Tigers of Fort Hays State University in Fayette. UIU used two first-half goals to grab the lead, and held on in the second to earn a 2-1 win. The Peacocks close out the MIAA season with a 4-4 record, and improved to 7-9 overall.

Statistically, the advantage seemed to be with the visitors. Fort Hays State totaled 12 first-half shots, while Upper Iowa could only get 5 shots off in the period. However, it was the Peacocks who took advantage of their opportunities. In the 26th minute, Ryan Pinkerton controlled the ball. From 25 yards away, the senior sent a shot passed the FHSU goalkeeper to put the Peacocks on the board. It was the fourth goal of the year for the Apple Valley, Calif. native, and he gave UIU a lead they would never relinquish.

Six minutes later, in the 26th minute, Ruairidh Crawford sent a cross in from the left side, and the ball went in front of the goalkeeper right to teammate Aaron Morgan. Morgan sent a shot through the back of the net to put the Peacocks up 2-0, and give the home team some cushion. The sophomore converted his third goal of the year, and despite trailing by seven in shot attempts, UIU took a 2-0 lead into halftime.

The second half was controlled by Fort Hays State as well, on paper. Upper Iowa trailed yet again in shots (8-1) and corners earned (5-0). But the Peacock defense rose to the challenge. FHSU, who had scored 49 goals on the season coming into the match, struggled to convert against the Peacock backline. Goalkeeper Connor Rortvedt tallied five first-half saves, and continued his strong performance in goal in the final 45 minutes. The junior earned two more saves in the second half, and the visitors were trying to break through and get on the board. The Tigers turned to Mauricio Castorino in the 76th minute, when he sent a shot from 25 yards out into the net to put FHSU on the board. But time was running out, and the Peacocks held strong defensively in the final 14 minutes to preserve the upset victory.

Rortvedt was outstanding in net, totaling seven saves and improving to 7-9 on the year. Fort Hays State held significant leads in shots (20-6), shots placed on goal (8-2), and corners earned (9-3). But FHSU did not record a save on the day, while the seven for UIU proved to be the difference. Upper Iowa got back to .500 in league play as they closed out the MIAA slate.

Upper Iowa will honor their five seniors, Pinkerton, Fausto Ordenana, Hugo Alves, Alejandro Gota, and Angel Cardoso on Sunday when the Peacocks match up with the U-Mary Marauders to close out the season. It will be the first-ever matchup between the schools. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m.