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FAYETTE, Iowa – The No. 6-ranked Northeastern State men's soccer team handed Upper Iowa its first home loss this season with a 2-1 victory Sunday afternoon at Pattison Field.
 
The RiverHawks (5-0-2, 2-0-1 MIAA) remained unbeaten through seven matches, while the Peacocks (5-4-1, 2-1-1) saw their three-match unbeaten streak snapped. UIU entered the match at 5-0-1 at home.
 
UIU got on the board first when Aaron Calkins netted his third goal of the year in the 29th minute. Troy Parker sent a cross into the box that was punched away by NSU goalkeeper Jackson Biles. The ball, however, went right to Calkins at the top of the 18 and he lifted a shot into the back of the net.
 
The RiverHawks equalized 10 minutes later when the visitors were awarded a penalty kick following a rough tackle in the 18-yard box. Sophomore forward Joel Mendoza stepped to the spot and tucked the PK into the right corner of the net.
 
The match would go in favor of the nationally-ranked side when sophomore forward Brandon Carter scored his first-career game-winning goal in the 84th minute. He was helped on the play by Mendoza.
 
Biles, a redshirt freshman, moved to 2-0 on the season after finishing with two saves. His counterpart, Jordan Bell (5-4-1), finished with six saves and two goals allowed in the losing effort.
 
Northeastern State outshot Upper Iowa 25-9 and led in corner kicks, 7-1.
 
The RiverHawks are set to return to Tahlequah for a 7 p.m. match Oct. 9 against Rogers State University.
 
Scoring Summary
NSU                 1          1          –          2
UIU                  1          0          –          1
 
Individual Scoring
Aaron Calkins (UIU) at 28:50 (unassisted)
Joel Mendoza (NSU) at 37:25 (penalty kick)
Brandon Carter (NSU) at 83:23 (Joel Mendoza)
 
Goalkeeper Saves
Jackson Biles (NSU) – 2
Jordan Bell (UIU) – 6

NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH ROB CZLONKA
Statement…
"Upper Iowa played with a lot of confidence and energy. They were very proud of being unbeaten at home this year and it was obvious how important it was for them to protect their house. They were stern defending, and they took their chances running at us when they countered. Luckily our guys were up to the task. This is the second week in a row that we have been ranked No. 6 in the country. Everybody wants to take down a top dog, and we know that every time out each team we play is going to throw a little extra into everything on the pitch. Our guys have to deal with that type of emotion from opposing teams."
 
On the first goal…
"That really woke our guys up. We started playing with a little more speed and aggressiveness after that."
 
On NSU's first goal…
"Joel (Mendoza) put a pretty good move on the defender to get by him, and the next defender took his legs out. I was very confident that Joel would convert the penalty kick because he is already an accomplished scorer for us. The keeper guessed that Joel would shoot right, but even though he was able to get a hand to it, Joel hit it with enough confidence and pace that it was still able to go into the back of the net."
 
On the game winner…
"Brandon Carter is really starting to come on for us. He brings a lot of different tools to the table. On the goal, Joel took the ball down the right sideline and sent a low-driven cross to the near post. Carter was able to get a head to it and put it in the side net. It was a very special goal. After that, Upper Iowa was putting everything that had into the game because they had no concern of keeping guys back. Our guys are getting back into the rhythm of playing matches and not just training. They are beginning to understand how to hold a lead. That was one of the best games as a team we have played in a while."
 
-GoRiverHawksGo.com-