The Basics

Score: Evangel 1, (8) MidAmerica Nazarene 5 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (1-9-1, 0-7-0), MidAmerica Nazarene (7-2-3, 4-1-2)

Location: Olathe, Kan. (Pioneer Field)

OLATHE, Kan. – Valor Men's Soccer concluded their road trip with a match against the eighth ranked Pioneers of MidAmerica Nazarene on Tuesday (Oct. 4) night. Missing six starters, Evangel was able to get on the board, but the Pioneer offense did enough damage to get the win, 5-1, over the Valor.

Evangel struggled on offense in the first half, not recording a shot as their effort was used on defense. MNU put up several shots in the half and scored twice to take a 2-0 lead into the halftime break.

The Valor made halftime adjustments and this was evident right out of the break as Andrew Flippin, James Bourke-Nuku, and Sage Ballard all recorded shots, the first of the match for EU. MNU tacked on two additional goals, one on a tough call for a penalty shot to take a 4-0 lead. Soon after, Evangel found a nice break from the defense when a Igor Ovcarevic pass to Victor Vieira was used to set up a Sage Ballard goal. Vieira's pass was on point, as he faked out the keeper and found Ballard open for the goal. MNU added a final goal on another tough penalty shot call as the Pioneers claimed a 5-1 victory.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Evangel was outshot, 27-6, in the loss to the nationally ranked team.

• Ballard recorded his first goal of the season in the loss and led the way with two shots on goal.

• Anthony Morales racked up eight saves in the loss.

QUOTABLE

"We played well tonight. I'm proud of the way that we continued to fight despite some missed calls and tough calls that led to 2 MNU PK's. Ballard's goal was phenomenal as he filled the empty space perfectly and had nice feeds from Igor and Victor," Men's Soccer Head Coach Kyle Beard stated. "All in all, we are playing well for being short several starters, including our starting midfielders."

UP NEXT

Evangel will host the Vikings of Grand View on Saturday (Oct. 8) at 3:30 p.m. in Springfield, Mo.

For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, visit Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelValor, Twitter (@EvangelValor), or EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on their favorite EU teams by downloading the Evangel Athletics Gameday App through the App Store or Google Play.  

—#OneValor—