Vikings overcome slow start to defeat Mustangs

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Mount Mercy jumped on Missouri Valley early, but the 16th-ranked Vikings responded with four unanswered goals to defeat the Mustangs, 4-1, in a Heart of America Athletic Conference women's soccer match on Saturday afternoon at Hadzic Field.

Nathanlie Primbs knocked in a cross by Miran Sakai in the 13th minute to put Mount Mercy in front. Nearly 20 minutes later, Tatiana Silva leveled the match for Missouri Valley and Paula Inclan found the back of the net in the 40th minute as the Vikings (10-1-0, 7-0-0 Heart) took a 2-1 lead into halftime.

That's where it stayed until the final 10 minutes of action when Valentina Cardoso (81') and Paoloa Ochoa (89') finished off the scoring. In all, Missouri Valley out-shot Mount Mercy, 29-5. Thirteen of those were on frame while the Mustangs finished with three shots on goal. Grace Byers made another strong start in goal for Mount Mercy (2-7-1, 0-6-1 Heart), collecting nine saves in full-time.

The Mustangs host Baker on Saturday at 1:00 pm at Hadzic Field, then go on the road for two straight against William Penn on Oct. 19 at 5:00 pm in Oskaloosa and Evangel on Oct. 23 at noon in Springfield, Mo.