Jamestown, ND –
After building a 2-0 lead going into halftime, the Dakota Wesleyan University men's soccer team had to battle the Jimmies and the heavy rain. Jamestown found their foothold in the second half to score three unanswered goals to take the lead late in the second half.
How It Happened –
The Tigers traveled to Jamestown as they looked to secure a win and a spot in the GPAC playoffs. Vladislav Burkov got DWU on the board first in the 19' minute. The Jimmies committed a foul deep in their territory, just outside of the penalty area. Burkov set up for the free kick as his teammates crammed the top of the box. Burkov fired the ball right towards the net and the ball was in the goalkeeper's hands but spun right out in the goal. As the weather began to turn, Cesar Requena decided to get in on the scoring action. After a foul in the penalty area against the Jimmies, the Tigers were awarded a penalty kick. Requena would fire his shot into the bottom right of the net to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead. As the teams went in for halftime, the rain started to soak the turf.
As the teams gathered on the field for the next 45 minutes, the Jimmies changed their game plan, and it was effective. Jamestown would score in the opening minute of the second half to cut the DWU lead to 2-1. After DWU received a yellow card, the momentum turned against the Tigers as the Jimmies would score the equalizer in the 60' minute. Jamestown controlled the ball throughout the second half, and they scored their third goal in the 72' minute to take the lead. DWU was unsuccessful in finding attempts to tie the match as Jamestown kept the ball away from the Tigers. Hunter Birozy finished the match with seven saves.
Up Next for the Tigers –
DWU will stay on the road as they prepare to take on the Mustangs of Morningside University. This will be the last regular season match for the Tigers as they look to secure a spot in the GPAC playoffs. The Tigers secure a playoff spot with a win OR Jamestown and Doane loss. Match time is set for 1:00 PM in Sioux City, Iowa.