The Upper Iowa men's soccer team wrapped up their 2016 season with a 5-1 dominating win over the Marauders of the University of Mary on Sunday afternoon. The Peacocks scored three first-half goals en route to their highest scoring output of the season. In a matchup of non-conference opponents, it was UIU who stormed out to the big halftime lead and kept the pressure on in the second half. With the win, Upper Iowa ends their year improving to 8-9 overall, while U-Mary wraps up their season 6-10.

Upper Iowa took no time getting on the scoreboard. In the third minute, Aaron Morgan gathered the ball off a deflected shot, and sent the ball to the back of the net for his fourth score of the season to put the Peacocks up 1-0. The ball deflected off the goalkeeper after a Youssef Abougendia shot, and Morgan was there to clean up the mess from two yards out. UIU continued to put pressure on the visitors in the first half. The home team led 11-6 in shot attempts and 8-2 in corners earned, and would add two more goals before the first half came to a close. In the 14th minute, senior Fausto Ordenana converted his third goal of the season. The midfielder, who has battled injuries throughout the season, wrapped up his career strong and gave the Peacocks a 2-0 lead.

UIU added another goal in the 30th minute, when senior Ryan Pinkerton received a pass from fellow senior Hugo Alves. Pinkerton sent a header in from the middle of the box for the 3-0 lead and his fifth goal of the season. Upper Iowa took a commanding lead into halftime, and would look to add on in the second half.

The second half was much of the same. Pinkerton added his sixth goal of the year in the 49th when he took a pass from Chad Peterson. Pinkerton scored from the middle to put UIU up 4-0, and the rout was on. Later in the match, in the 80th minute, U-Mary was charged with a foul, and the Peacocks were rewarded with a penalty kick. Upper Iowa had senior Angel Cardoso take the shot. Cardoso scored his first career goal on the PK and gave the Peacocks a 5-0 lead. U-Mary eventually got on the board in the 83rd minute,when Marc Carreras scored his fifth goal of the season. 

The visitors clawed back in the shot attempts column in the second half, and for the match, Upper Iowa led 17-16, including a 10-7 lead in shots placed on goal. UIU held an advantage in corners earned, 12-6, as well. Connor Rortvedt earned the win in goal for the Peacocks, improving to 8-9 on the season, after posting six saves.

Upper Iowa wrapped up their season finishing 4-4 in the MIAA, but finished 3-1 in the league the second time through. UIU picked up their biggest win of the season last Friday, against #21 Fort Hays State, 2-1. The Peacocks will graduate their five seniors, including Pinkerton, Cardoso, Alves, Ordenana, as well as Alejandro Gota. The team will look to improve on their record next season as they bring back a majority of their players, including Rortvedt in goal. The Peacocks will look to make a run at their second MIAA title next season.