LINCOLN, Neb. – 23
rd-ranked University of Dubuque scored a goal late in the 2
nd half to tie the match, then got the game-winner on a penalty kick as the Spartans defeated Nebraska Wesleyan 2-1 in Iowa Conference men's soccer action on Saturday afternoon at Abel Stadium in Lincoln.
Â
Nebraska Wesleyan held a 1-0 lead and looked poised to earn their first conference win in the new league, while knocking off one of the top teams in the IIAC. However, Dubuque got a goal from Noah Clarke in the 79
th minute to tie the match at 1-1 and send it into overtime.
Â
In the first overtime period, NWU was called for a foul in the box setting up a penalty kick for the Spartans. Danny Daniels converted the kick to give Dubuque the win.
Â
The Spartans move to 10-1 overall and 2-0 in IIAC play, with NWU dropping to 4-3-3 and 0-2 in IIAC action.
Â
Neither team was able to score in the first half as the teams played to a 0-0 tie at intermission.
Â
Nebraska Wesleyan then got on the board on a goal by
Alex Day in the 53
rd minute to put the Prairie Wolves up 1-0 and primed for the upset win.Â
Â
NWU finished with 14 total shots, compared to 15 for the Spartans as the two teams were very even on the field.
Â
The Prairie Wolves will now regroup and go their first IIAC win next Wednesday with a match at Buena Vista. Â Â
Â