No. 5 WPU Settles for 2-2 Draw Against Central Methodist

Oskaloosa--The No. 5 William Penn men's soccer team battled throughout but ultimately had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Central Methodist in Heart of America Athletic Conference play Saturday.

The Statesmen (3-1-3, 1-0-2 Heart) controlled much of the match with a 17-6 shot margin, including a 6-5 edge on frame, but the Eagles (2-2-3, 0-1-2 Heart) capitalized on key moments to escape with a point.

WPU struck first in the 30th minute when Angel Valdez (So., Mexicali, Mexico, Nursing) delivered a corner that found Leonardo Jimenez (Fr., Mexico City, Mexico, Business Management), who buried the finish for a 1-0 lead. 

The Statesmen carried their advantage into halftime, outshooting CMU 9-3 in the opening 45.

The Eagles drew even just seven minutes into the second half, converting on a corner kick in the 52nd minute. 

William Penn answered immediately as Valdez once again delivered on a set piece—this time connecting with Will Couch (Jr., Burnley, England, Sports Management), who drove home the go-ahead strike in the 54th.

CMU found the equalizer once more in the 77th minute, slotting home a penalty kick to tie the match. 

Despite an 8-3 shot advantage in the second half, the Statesmen were unable to reclaim the lead.

Albert Feixas (So., Santa Coloma de Farners, Spain, Exercise Science) led the charge with three attempts, while Santiago Palacios (Grad., Denia, Spain, Master's of Sports Management) and Matias Meijide (Grad., Brunete, Spain, Master's of Organizational Leadership) each added two.

"We aren't performing in the second half. We let in goals that we shouldn't. We aren't defending or scoring and can't reach the heights that we need to," said Head Coach Joe Minton. "We need to go back to the drawing board and figure it out somehow."

Next Up: William Penn continues Heart action at home against Baker next Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on Drost Field.