Pride score late goal to defeat Evangel University 2-1

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Clarke University men's soccer team defeated Evangel University 2-1 in exciting fashion Saturday evening to improve their record to 8-2-2 (5-2-2 in conference).

If you only looked at the stats, you would assume the Pride were leading most of this game. However, that would not be the case as EU would score first after James Bourke-Nuku was given a free kick. The Pride were unable to clear the ball and eventually Dean McConnell found the back of the net. This would be the lone goal of the half with the Pride leading in shots 8-3 and corners 5-2.

The second half looked very similar to the first half in terms of shots as the Pride were in desperation mode to get a goal. They were able to get on the board in the 50th minute when junior Jonathan Velasquez scored his fourth of the season after the goalie misplayed and dropped an easy save.

In the 90th minute, shortly after the Pride hit a crossbar, the Pride were able to take a 2-1 lead off the foot of freshman Kevin Klos.

Velasquez had his chances early in the first half when he just missed the net wide in the 23rd minute and hit the crossbar in the 39th minute.

Pride keeper, Fernando Contreras made a great save to his left on a penalty kick in the 33rd minute to keep the Pride down a goal.

A pair of Pride freshman had good scoring chances when Jose Gomez and Bakari Mtende just missed giving the Pride a 2-1 lead in the 57th and 67th minute.

Luke Persenico led the way with 3 shots and the Pride outshot EU 22-6.

The Pride men's soccer team will host Baker on Saturday, October 22nd for a 3:30 pm CST kick.