Statesmen Upset Pioneers for Third Top-25 Win of Season
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Olathe, Kan.–Tell me if you have heard this one before. What is becoming old hat, the William Penn men’s soccer team took down its third ranked opponent of the fall, upsetting #15 MidAmerica Nazarene 1-0 in double overtime of a Heart of America Athletic Conference matchup Saturday.
William Penn (13-3, 7-2 Heart), which is 34th in the NAIA, is now 3-1 against top-25 opposition this fall (school record for wins over top-25 teams). The Statesmen, winners of four in a row, remain just one-half game behind Central Methodist (8-1-1 Heart) for first place in the league with two contests left to go.
Playing on the road against a talented foe, the Statesmen decided to go with a defensive-minded scheme. Despite being outshot 20-4, the visitors were successful in their gameplan, keeping the Pioneers (10-5, 5-4 Heart) from putting a ball into the netting.
WPU continued to play a compacted style into overtime, but finally unleashed the offense on a counter attack early in the second extra period. A long ball was sent downfield and the navy and gold kept the ball on that side with Joe Minton (So., Stoke-on-Trent, England, Physical Education) eventually sending a cross into the box. Eduardo Bonatto (So., Rio Grande, Brazil, Business Management) found the ball on the far post and headed it in for the day’s only tally, the game-winner at the 101:57 mark.
The defense, headed by Austin Munoz (Jr., Harrisville, Utah, Sports Management) with five saves, posted its program record-breaking ninth shutout of 2018.
“This was another incredible win for our men!” Head Coach Jaymee Highcock said. “I am delighted for every player on our team. We agreed to sit back and hit them on the counter. The players bought into the gameplan and we did enough to sneak a late game-winner.”
“We have broken many school records this year, but we do not want it to stop here,” Highcock added. “The team is showing it is one of the best in the nation. They are a joy to be a part of and we look forward to having a good game against Culver-Stockton next Wednesday.”
Next Up: William Penn hits the road for the final time during the regular season next Wednesday, traveling to Canton, Mo. to face Culver-Stockton in Heart action at 7:30 p.m.
