WPU News
Sat, Sep 19, 2009 - [Men's Soccer]
Tadeo Cavazos tallied eight saves between the pipes
Tadeo Cavazos tallied eight saves between the pipes
Oskaloosa--The Statesmen soccer team produced a much better effort than the last time it faced Grand View, but unfortunately it still was not enough to lift the team to victory as Penn lost 2-0 in its Midwest Collegiate Conference opener Saturday.

The Statesmen (2-3-1, 0-1 MCC), who fell 8-0 to the Vikings in Des Moines last year, were doubled up in shots 18-9. Despite that tally, they still managed to hang with the defending conference champions, who are now 5-3 overall (1-0 MCC).

Grand View scored its first goal in the 39th minute, but Penn kept its opponent shut down for nearly the remaining 51 minutes. Unfortunately, just minutes after a great opportunity was missed by the host team, the Vikings added an insurance goal in the 88th minute.

Nik Rule (Sr., Idaho Falls, Idaho, Skyline HS) led the Statesmen offense with three shots, while Brandon Nicholson (Fr., Cedar Falls, Cedar Falls HS) added two shots of his own. The team forced GVU goalkeeper Darren Martin into four saves.

Tadeo Cavazos (Sr., Baytown, Texas, Lee HS) netted eight saves in the setback.

Next: Penn travels to Marshall, Mo. Tuesday to face Missouri Valley in non-conference action at 4 p.m.