Despite a strong offensive performance and a number of good scoring opportunities, the Upper Iowa men's soccer team fell to the William Jewell Cardinals 2-0 in the first game at Pattison Field of 2018. The Peacocks controlled the ball for a good portion of the game and created a number of good scoring chances but were unable to capitalize on any of their opportunities.
The Peacocks produced some good scoring chances throughout the match, many of them originating from the speed and creativity of
Italo Martins Soares who led Upper Iowa with five shots. In the 19th minute Soares made a great run to beat his defender and fired a shot that rang off the crossbar. Upper Iowa had another golden opportunity just ten minutes later following a foul by the Cardinals. Senior
Aaron Morgan delivered his free kick on target, the Cardinal goalkeeper gave up the rebound but the Peacocks were unable to take advantage of the opportunity.
The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute off a William Jewel corner that was tapped home for the eventual game winner. On the other end of the pitch, the Peacocks would see another great opportunity late in the first half when Martins Soares drew a foul immediately after nutmegging a defender. Senior
Joaquin Alonso stepped up for the freekick just outside the box, bending his shot around the wall but couldn't get it past the William Jewell goalkeeper, protecting the Cardinals' lead into the half.
Upper Iowa continued to put the pressure on the Cardinals back line in the second half, outshooting their opponents 8-7 and holding the edge in corner kicks 7-3 in the late stage of the game. Freshman
Robin Stoffels and Junior
Seth Russell made a number of runs from the outside back position in an attempt to spark the Peacock's goal scoring efforts. The quick pace and speed from the German freshman proved difficult for Cardinal defenders but they were able to turn away any attempts Stoffels created. William Jewell was able to add an insurance goal in the 85th minute off of a restart from the keeper whose kick was flicked on to a Cardinal striker who in turn slid the ball past
Nikolai Gogol to seal the Cardinals' win. Gogol finished the day with four saves for the Peacocks.
Upper Iowa will return to action on Sunday when they take on the Lions of Lindenwood University. Sunday's tilt will be the first MIAA contest for the Peacocks in 2018, kickoff for against Lindenwood is scheduled for 1:30pm.
