Top-ranked Eagles end Mustang win streak

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Top-ranked and defending NAIA national champion Central Methodist (Mo.) took Mount Mercy's best shot on Saturday but managed to hold off the Mustangs, 2-0, in a Heart of America Athletic Conference men's soccer match at the Robert W. Plaster Athletic Complex.

Mount Mercy (6-3-1, 3-1-0 Heart) was unbeaten in its last six games - including four league matches -- since a 2-0 loss at Roosevelt (Ill.) on Aug. 31. That was also the last time the Mustangs were shutout. The Eagles (10-1-0, 4-0-0 Heart) also took over sole possession of first place in the Heart, now holding a one-game lead over William Penn and Baker (Kan.).

Both Central Methodist goals came during a four-minute stretch midway through the first half. Junior Kazeem set up the first goal of the match by Daniel Hernandez in the 23rd minute, then Andrea de Simone was the beneficiary of a Victor Luengo assist to make it 2-0 in the 27th minute.

Despite not being able to generate much offense, Mount Mercy stayed in the match by holding the Eagles to their lowest point total in two weeks. Central Methodist came in averaging nearly six goals per game in their last three games, including a 5-2 victory over then-No. 1 Missouri Valley and a 7-0 rout of Grand View.

The Mustangs have a week off before a conference road test at Benedictine (Kan.) on Saturday, Oct. 5. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. in Atchison, Kan.