Upper Iowa was defeated by Ashland University 2-0. Upper Iowa falls to 0-9-0 (0-5-0 in GLIAC play) while Ashland improves to 3-6-0 (3-3-0).
Ashland got out to an early 1-0 lead just five minutes into the match. Junior midfielder George Brown scored after Peacocks goalkeeper Anthony Velez came out of the net to stop a cross from the right side. After Velez deflected the pass, Brown was able to get the rebound and find the left side of the net to score from five yards out.
Upper Iowa had two contested scoring attempts five minutes later at the 10 minute mark which both were to no avail. Junior forward Italo Martins Soares' shot on goal was barely swatted away by the Eagles goalkeeper Marshall Ney before the Ashland defense was able to get the ball out of the box and put an end to Upper Iowa's opportunity to score.
Velez made a pair of impressive saves in the 25th minute. A hard shot was fired at him knocking Velez to ground. Sophomore forward Kieran Patterson came in with a shot off the rebound but Velez was able to extend his legs blocking the shot and keeping the game 1-0.
The first half of the match remained scoreless after Brown's goal. The two teams put on an impressive display on the defensive end of the ball.
Soares had another incredibly close attempt ten minutes into the second half, his shot on goal off a breakaway was deflected away at the last moment by Ney.
The next 30 minutes the two teams went head to head, fighting the entire way through each possession. A few shots on goal occurred as well as a couple of corresponding saves but the majority of the period was a hard fought defensive atmosphere.
Ashland tacked on one more score in the 85th minute. Sophomore midfielder Keagan Brown got off a shot at the Peacocks net, Velez was able to make the stop. Senior forward Thomas Cordiero picked up the rebound and scored within the box putting the game out of reach for the Peacocks and ending the match by the eventual final score of 2-0.
TURNING POINT... Cordiero's goal in the 85th minute put Ashland up 2-0 and ended Upper Iowa's hopes of tying the game at one.
PEACOCK OF THE GAME... Junior defender
Cameron Bosacki made a handful of key stops that could have resulted in more goals scored by the Eagles.
STAT OF THE GAME... Ashland out shot Upper Iowa 18 to 13 in the contest. The teams were fairly even in most categories, Upper Iowa was just unable to find the net.
QUOTABLE...
- "We competed well today. We gave up two preventable goals but we competed every single time (down the field) up until the final whistle. Today we stepped up, we didn't give up any free one on one opportunities on goal. We were disappointed that we were unable to connect a few more passes in the final third (of the field). We were smart defensively and our midfield played fantastic. Ultimately, we haven't put enough chances on frame and we haven't caused the goalkeeper to make saves."
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Willie McGowan, Head Soccer Coach
UP NEXT... The Peacocks will play Purdue-Northwest University on Saturday, Oct.12 at 11 a.m. on Pattison Field. If you'd like to follow along via live stats or webcast visit UIUPeacocks.com/LIVE.
