Pioneers net two goals in extra time, defeat Mustangs in Heart semifinals

OLATHE, Kan. -- Third-seeded MidAmerica Nazarene scored twice in extra time on Tuesday afternoon and defeated seventh-seeded Mount Mercy, 3-1, in a Heart of America Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Championship semifinal at Pioneer Field.

The Mustangs and 21st-ranked Pioneers played to a 1-1 draw at 90 minutes. A tie after full time in the postseason means two 10-minute overtime periods with no golden goal. MidAmerica Nazarene scored once in each extra period to earn a spot in the Heart of America finals against top-seeded Missouri Valley on Friday. The Vikings crushed fifth-seeded Benedictine, 5-1.

The host Pioneers (12-3-4) out-shot the Mustangs (9-5-4) by a total of 23-8 and put nine on-frame compared to three by Mount Mercy. But it was the Mustangs who scored first when Robin Sarret notched his team-leading seventh goal of the season on an assist by Diego Carrasco in the 17th minute. Dennis Palacios leveled the match at 1-1 just three minutes before halftime and that's where it stayed through 90 minutes.

The Pioneers wasted no time gaining the advantage in the first overtime period as Rick Hovinga scored the go-ahead goal in the 92nd minute. As the Mustangs began to play with more urgency it opened up opportunities for MidAmerica Nazarene and Nicolas Theberge cashed in with less than 30 seconds remaing to cap the scoring.

Despite the outcome it was another stellar effort by the Mustang defense. Goalkeeper Alejandro Cuende stopped six shots. His counterpart, Enzo Carvalho, finished with a pair of saves for the Pioneers.

Now Mount Mercy, a team that was ranked in the top 25 this season, waits on an at-large bid to the NAIA national tournament. If the Mustangs were to earn a spot it would mark their first appearance at the NAIA Men's Soccer Championship since 2015.