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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The No. 14-ranked Northeastern State men's soccer team upset No. 6 Rockhurst University 1-0 Sunday afternoon at Bourke Field.
 
The RiverHawks (2-0) picked up their first victory over a ranked opponent since Sept. 22, 2006, which was a 2-1 decision over No. 25 Christian Brothers.
 
"This was a great win for our program to be able to take out one of the top teams in the country on their home pitch," NSU coach Rob Czlonka said. "We have come a long way after a not-so-exciting start to our preseason. I thought we defended the best I have ever seen. Everybody pulled together and we were able to get the job done."
 
The two teams battled to a stalemate for 80 minutes, with the Hawks (1-1) inflicting the most damage in the stat sheet. Despite being outshot by a 16-6 margin, the visitors began to inch closer to goal.
 
After a couple chances that went awry, the deciding play began in the 83rd minute when junior forward Jordan Schmoker found the ball at his feet near the top of the 18-yard penalty area. He took a shot that caromed off an RU defender, and the ball landed right in front of sophomore forward Paul Samia. Samia did what any good striker would do in that situation, and he finished what would be the game-winning goal.
 
"As the game is winding down, both teams were looking for that perfect opportunity to take the game," Czlonka said. "Jordan took a touch to the inside and hit a shot that ricocheted off the defender. The ball popped out to the side right in front of Paul and he slammed it home."
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Eric Shephard (2-0) registered his second-straight clean sheet, stopping all five shots on goal. Ryan Bass (1-1), despite making four incredible saves, suffered the loss for Rockhurst.
 
The two teams played through dangerous heat levels for the majority of the contest. Water breaks were taken in the middle of each half as the two teams battled with the rising temperatures.
 
"Some of our players' shoes were melting because the surface was so hot," Czlonka said. "The match really became a battle of making substitutions at the right time to get guys plenty of rest due to the heat."
 
Northeastern State will complete its four-game road swing to open the season when the team heads to Colorado for two matches. The first will pit the RiverHawks against No. 5 Regis University at 5 p.m. Sept. 13.
 
MATCH NOTES: NSU picked up its first win over a ranked opponent since Sept. 22, 2006 (No. 25 Christian Brothers) . . . this marks the second-straight season NSU starts off a campaign with two shutouts . . . NSU was held without a shot in the opening half, which was the first time the RiverHawks did not register a shot attempt in a half since Oct. 31, 2010 (1-0 loss to Truman State) . . . Paul Samia scored his third-career goal, and now has goals in his last two matches . . . he also scored his second game-winning goal . . . Eric Shephard now has back-to-back shutouts . . . Jordan Schmoker has three assists this season and 13 for his career.
 
Scoring Summary
NSU                 0          1          –          1
RU                   0          0          –          0
 
Individual Scoring
Paul Samia (NSU) at 82:40 (Jordan Schmoker)
 
Goalkeeper Saves
Eric Shephard (NSU) – 5
Ryan Bass (RU) – 4
 
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