Decorah, IA - Nebraska Wesleyan men's soccer battled Luther to a 1-1 tie, Saturday afternoon. Nebraska Wesleyan is now 5-6-5 overall, and 3-2-2 in American Rivers Conference action. Today's tie coupled with Coe's 4-3 loss to Dubuque, clinched NWU a berth in the 2025 American Rivers Conference tournament. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half: Nebraska Wesleyan got out to a strong start as shots by Max Matthies and Wil Tobaben tested Luther early, before Franklyn Herasme found the back of the net to put NWU up 1-0 in the 20th minute. Minutes later, Caden Tubaugh nearly doubled the score, but missed wide left. The Norse nearly tied the game in the 31st minute with two shots, the first going wide, while Graedon Hilton made a clutch stop on the second. Nebraska Wesleyan went back on the attack as Franklyn Herasme and Bryan Andrade took shots in the 34th and 36th minute, with neither reaching the back of the net. In the 38th minute, Luther tied the game on a shot by Barriga Lopez in the 38th minute. Neither team scored over the remaining six minutes as the teams were tied 1-1 at half time.

Second Half: Max Matthies nearly gave NWU a 2-1 lead early in the second half, placing a shot on net, but Luther Aitor Lopez stood tall and made the save. Energized by the save, Luther tried to turn defense into offense but Graedon Hilton made back to back stops to keep the game tied. The remainder of the game saw both teams struggled to gain control offensively, as they combined for four shots. While NWU out shot Luther 3-1 over the final 30 minutes, none of the shots found their way to the back of the net as the teams settled for a 1-1 draw.

TEAM STATISTICS
Shots: NWU 12 | LC 9
Corners: NWU 4 | LC 3
Saves: NWU 4 | LC 1
Fouls: NWU 13 | LC 12

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Franklyn Herasme: 3 shots, 1 SOG, 1 goal
Max Matthies: 2 shots, 1 SOG
Wil Tobaben: 1 shot, 1 assist
Graedon Hilton: 4 saves

UP NEXT
Nebraska Wesleyan will conclude its regular season on Tuesday, October 28th, at Coe College. The match will start at 3:30 p.m.