WPU Slips by Briar Cliff to Stay Perfect

William Penn University Athletics

Oskaloosa–The Statesmen men’s soccer team waited through a weather delay and then fought rainy conditions to defeat Briar Cliff 1-0 in the opener of the William Penn Classic Friday.

Just minutes before play was to begin, Mother Nature interfered with a lightning strike to the west that postponed the contest a half hour. Once the game finally got underway, it was obvious right away which was the better side.

WPU, 3-0 for the third time in school history (1997, 2006), outshot the Chargers (0-2) by a 21-3 count. The navy and gold got on the board at the 18:12 mark when Yordan Rivera (Jr., Bothell, Wash., Physical Education) took a pass in the box and made a nifty move to the right before getting a shot past the BCU keeper. The goal is his team-leading second of the year.

The defense took control from there, posting their second shutout of the fall. Mason Bandy (Sr., Calgary, Alberta, Biology) notched three saves in the victory.

Angelo Kelly (Jr., Ottumwa, Iowa, Physical Education) finished with six shots to pace the Statesmen, while Rivera added five.

“This is so cliché to say, but a win is a win,” Head Coach Raphael Martinez said. “We played very well in the first half and created plenty of clear chances. Fortunately, Yordan stepped up and scored when we needed it.”

“It was a great defense effort again by the entire team,” Martinez added. “We limited their chances and were very organized for the majority of the game. Another shutout is great and shows our work in practice has paid off.”

Next Up: William Penn finishes the WPU Classic Sunday by hosting Calumet-St. Joseph (Ind.) at 4 p.m.