WPU Knocked Out of Heart Tourney in Semifinal Round
Oskaloosa–In a battle of top-15 programs, the rivalry game between the #2 seed William Penn men’s soccer team and #3 seed Grand View went to the Vikings by a score of 2-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament Semifinals Wednesday.
In September, the visiting Statesmen (15-5) were able to collect a one-goal victory in overtime, but GVU (14-4) avenged the setback with a pair of second-half goals. #13 Grand View will now meet top seed and NAIA #1 Central Methodist Friday.
All is far from lost for the navy and gold as with their #11 coaches’ poll ranking and a high position in the MRPI index, they are assured of qualifying for nationals for the first time in school history. The tournament field, consisting of an expanded 48 squads, will be announced next Monday at noon. Fans can watch live at https://www.facebook.com/PlayNAIA/?__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARAbg2_i3MeV0Ery6KTtficPoBrhDGYkR0kiBJ8FRtYEfm_rTQN1TN2YL-M5JqWEDfPH2I-p8WG9g-8y or join a Selection Show Watch Party on campus (Chief Mahaska Room, Atkins Memorial Union).
Playing in freezing temperatures with snow from Sunday night still matted on the pitch, both sides started slow as the match was scoreless nearing halftime. The duo of Donny Mesina (Sr., Inglewood, Calif., Sports Management) and Kenedy Deviska (So., Pignon, Haiti, Wellness and Recreation) changed all that in the 40th minute.
Mesina launched a throw into the box, and following a deflection, Deviska, who was waiting on the far side, punched a one-touch shot into the netting to open the scoring. The goal is the 10th of the season for the second-team all-Heart performer.
WPU’s 1-0 edge did not last long after intermission, however, as the Vikings tallied the equalizer at the 47:24 mark.
Grand View then went ahead for good in the 77th minute, and the Statesmen failed to post a response. Both teams managed 12 shots in the contest with five attempts coming on goal for the hosts (three on goal for GVU).
Austin Munoz (Sr., Harrisville, Utah, Sports Management) recorded one save in the setback, while Bernardo Lima (Sr., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Exercise Science) headed the offense with three shots.
“This was an unfortunate result for our men,” Head Coach Jaymee Highcock said. “We started really well and could have had a few more goals in the first half. As a team, we needed to realize that we were the better team and could have won the game before break.”
“We unfortunately started very poorly in the second half and poor defending allowed them to score a deserved goal,” Highcock added. “That deflated us and we never managed to get back into it. We needed more from our key players and more from the squad in general. That never happened and GVU deserved to win the game.”
“This loss will not define our season,” Highcock said. “We now know our next loss will end our year. We have a very talented team and I sure we will come back stronger for our next game.”
“I want to say a huge thank you to all the operations team and game-day staff,” Highcock added. “These people sacrificed a lot of time and energy to get the field game-ready for this contest to even happen. We are truly grateful for everything you did for us.”
