Tigers fall in opening round of GPAC tournament

SIOUX CITY, Iowa– Despite only conceding one goal in the first half, the Dakota Wesleyan University men's soccer team ultimately lost to No. 16 Morningside College by a score of 4-0 in the quarterfinals of the Great Plains Athletic Conference Postseason Tournament on Saturday in Sioux City, Iowa.

 It did not take the Mustangs (14-3-1) long to take a 1-0 lead as they secured their opening goal less than six minutes into the contest. Morningside continued to keep the pressure on, but the Dakota Wesleyan defense held strong to not allow another goal in the opening minutes of the game.

 Tyler Anderson (Monticello, Minn.) sent a shot sailing towards the goal in the 18^th minute to try and even the score, but the Mustangs saved the shot. Less than a minute later, the Tigers (5-9-1) were awarded a corner kick, but were unable to capitalize on the opportunity.

 Although both teams had multiple chances at goals in the first half, the score remained 1-0 after 45 minutes of play.

 Two minutes into the second half, Morningside doubled its lead with another goal. In the 69^th minute, the Mustangs notched another goal, this time off a penalty kick to hold a 3-0 advantage. The final goal of the contest came in the 78^th minute when the Mustangs notched their fourth goal as the game concluded with a 4-0 score.

 Anderson recorded two shots and one shot on goal, while Hunter Birozy (Norco, Calif.) snagged 10 saves in the net. DWU concludes the season with an overall record of 5-9-1 and their first trip to the postseason since 2015.