Second-Ranked Pioneers too Much for William Penn

William Penn University Athletics

Olathe, Kan.–The home team erupted from the opening whistle and the Statesmen men’s soccer team never caught up, falling 6-1 to #2 MidAmerica Nazarene in Heart of America Athletic Conference action Saturday.

William Penn (3-3-1, 0-1 Heart), which was outshot 22-9, permitted a goal less than four minutes into play and never recovered. MNU (4-1-1, 1-0 Heart) added two more scores before Anfernee Houston (Fr., Harrisburg, Ill., Kinesiology) finally got the navy and gold on the board at the 38:44 mark.

Unfortunately, the Pioneers responded with two additional goals just prior to halftime. With both teams going deep into their benches for the latter period, play evened as MidAmerica Nazarene only scored once in the 53rd minute. WPU will be able to take away the positive that it kept the home team off the board for the final 37 minutes.

Houston and Nenad Markovic (So., Belgrade, Serbia) each recorded three shots, while Emannuel Esparza (So., Posen, Ill., Physical Education (K-12)) tallied five saves Saturday.

“We played against a good team today,” Head Coach Jaymee Highcock said. “There are always things to learn in defeat and we look to improve and get better from this loss. We will put this one behind us and get ready for Graceland.”

Next Up: William Penn travels to Lamoni Tuesday to face Graceland in Heart action at 7:30 p.m.