The Upper Iowa men's soccer team cruised to a 4-1 victory over the Southwest Baptist University Bearcats Friday afternoon. The win marks the Peacocks third in their last four games and brings their record to 3-2-2 for the year. Friday's result also marks the second consecutive MIAA win and brings Upper Iowa to their best start in conference play since the 2015 season.

The Peacocks opened the scoring early when Robin Stoffels slotted a low cross to Italo Martins Soares who tapped home his second goal of the season in just the 5th minute. Soares added another goal just two minutes later, making a great run to get behind the Bearcats' back line and found the back of the net for his second of the afternoon. 

Junior captain Marko Cirko was able to capitalize on a defensive miscue by the Bearcats backline for his second goal of the year. Southwest Baptist attempted to clear the ball out of the box but only as far as Cirko, who collected the ball about 25 yards out and fired a shot that the goalkeeper could not cover. 

The match was put to bed when Tate Lofdahl fired a shot at the Bearcat goalkeeper who was unable to haul it in, Dylan Mientus was there to collect the rebound and calmly sent it to the back of the net. The goal marks Mientus' first on the season and second of his career. 

Upper Iowa came out of the gates firing and were extremely efficient with their offensive efforts. The Peacocks took a total of 14 shots, 7 of which were on target, resulting in 4 goals on the afternoon. 

The Peacocks will return to action on Sunday when they take on the Northeastern State University RiverHawks. Sunday's kickoff is scheduled for 11am at Pattison Field.