William Penn Shut Out for First Time

William Penn University Athletics

Oskaloosa–Facing its toughest foe of the fall, the Statesmen men’s soccer team could not break through in a 1-0 loss to Midland in a non-conference game at the William Penn Classic Sunday.

William Penn (4-2) was outshot just 11-10, but failed to answer the only goal of the game by the Warriors (5-1) at the 23:52 mark. The loss snaps the program’s four-game winning streak. Midland is picked to finish second in a tough Great Plains Athletic Conference.

The navy and gold had to play without one of its top offensive stars as Angelo Kelly (So., Ottumwa, Iowa, Physical Education) was injured early in the game and did not return. In a contest that featured 22 corner kicks, including nine by the hosts, Jason Batek (Jr., Chillicothe, Ill., Business Management) and Francis Koroma (Fr., Brooklyn Park, Minn., General Accounting) led the way for WPU with three shots each. Leonardo Teixeira (Sr., Sao Paolo, Brazil, Business Management) added two attempts as well.

Pedro Pereira (Fr., Sao Paolo, Brazil, Communications) managed three saves in the setback.

“Midland is a good team, but I did not think we were focused from the start,” Interim Head Coach Raphael Martinez said. “We started slow and they took advantage of it.”

“The second half was better, but against a good Midland squad, it was too little too late,” Martinez said. “We have a quick turnaround with a game on Wednesday, so we must put this loss behind us and learn from it. To be a good team, you must be focused and willing to compete for 90 minutes, not 45.”

Next: William Penn remains at home Wednesday to host St. Mary (Neb.) at 5 p.m.