The Peacock offense found a way to heat up on a cold, rainy day at Pattison Field in Fayette. Upper Iowa was deadlocked with the Marauders of the University of Mary for the first 59 minutes on Monday afternoon, but all of a sudden the offenses broke out. UIU scored four times in a 27-minute span, and dominated for a 4-1 victory. With the win, the Peacocks improve to 6-9, and close out their non-conference schedule. UMary drops to 6-7-1 on the year with the loss.
The visitors led in shot attempts on Monday, 21-16, but both teams notched an even seven shots placed on goal. Upper Iowa was efficient with their chances in the final stretch of the game, and the efficiency won them the match. In the first half, there was a 7-5 advantage in shots for the Marauders, but both defenses held strong in the wind and the snow and rain mix to keep the game 0-0 at halftime.
Many players had a quality performance in the match, and it was led by
Ruairidh Crawford and
Aaron Morgan. Crawford got the scoring started in the 60th minute when
Seth Russell gave the ball to
Ryan Crabtree, who then sent a deep ball to the Peacock forward. Crawford took control at the top of the box, made a defender miss, and scored his team-leading sixth goal of the season. Crawford would play a factor later in the match as well.
After a 1-0 lead, Morgan got involved in the action in the 79th minute.
Dylan Mientus took the ball down the right side, and sent a perfect cross to the left side of the box for Morgan, who sent it through the net for his first goal of the year. Morgan also played a role in two more scores to continue to build the lead. In the 81st minute, the lead became 3-0 when Morgan and
Tate Lofdahl teamed up for a double-assist with a connection to
Tim Brackett, who scored his first goal of 2017.
UMary scored their lone goal in the 86th minute when Michael Hertz scored his second goal of the year. A miscommunication by the UIU defense led to the score, and it was 3-1. But the Peacock offense would immediately answer as the offense continued to stay hot. In the 87th minute, UIU capped off the impressive 27-minute span with a second score from Crawford. Morgan sent the ball to
Marko Cirko, who then gave way to Crawford who scored from the left side of the box. The goal is the seventh of the season for Crawford, who ranks fifth in the league in scoring.
Connor Rortvedt added six more saves to his impressive total in his senior campaign. The Verona, Wis. native now has 89 on the season and is over 300 for his career. This season's total is a career-best for Rortvedt, who leads the MIAA in saves.
Upper Iowa wraps up their season this weekend, with both games coming at the friendly confines of Pattison Field. The Peacocks match up with the RiverHawks of Northeastern State University on Friday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m., and then will host Senior Day against the Bearcats of Southwest Baptist University on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 12 p.m.
