TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The No. 15-ranked Northeastern State men's soccer team blew past Upper Iowa 4-1 Saturday afternoon at DeLoache Field.
 
The RiverHawks (9-3, 7-0 MIAA) rebounded from a non-conference loss earlier this week by remaining perfect in league play, while the Peacocks (6-5-1, 3-4-0 MIAA) suffered their first conference loss in regulation.
 
The visitors got on the board first and even took a lead into halftime. Ryan Pinkerton scored an unassisted marker in the 12th minute to put his side on top.
 
The Peacocks would enjoy a lead for the next 46 minutes, but the flood gates opened once the RiverHawks got on the board.
 
Scoring the first goal in the 58th minute was senior defender Terence Smith. Senior forward Jordan Schmoker struck a free kick from the far left flank to the back right post. Junior midfielder Crosby Lee was on the other end and headed the ball back to the middle. Smith was waiting at the top of the six-yard box and hit a volley near post that equalized the match.
 
The game-winner came from freshman forward Ricardo Palomino in the 68th minute. He received a pass from Schmoker inside the box on the left, and his first touch was towards the end line. Just when it looked like he would send a cross through the goal mouth, he blasted a shot with his weaker boot that crashed into the back of the net.
 
Freshman forward Justin Todd added his fourth goal of the season in the 74th minute with help from Schmoker and Palomino. Junior midfielder Paul Samia put away his first of the year in the 80th minute with the help of a well-placed through ball from Smith.
 
The three assists from Schmoker were a career high and tied for the most in a single match in MIAA history. He now has 33 career assists, which is 10 more than any other player in school and MIAA history. Smith tied his career best with three points.
 
Northeastern State outshot Upper Iowa 22-18, and both teams attempted two corner kicks.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Jackson Biles (8-3) earned the win in net after making seven saves. Connor Rortvedt (6-5-1) was tagged with the loss after conceding all four goals. NSU moved to 4-0 all-time over the Peacocks.
 
NSU now heads to Harding University for a 6 p.m. kickoff Oct. 16 in Searcy, Arkansas.

NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH ROB CZLONKA
On the second half play…
"The way we approached the second half is the way we need to approach every game. I'm very proud the way they played the second half."
 
On adjustments made at halftime…
"Our guys came out with the right attitude in the second half. They wanted to prove a point and they did. It's the most talented team we've ever had. We have a great group of guys. There were guys that hadn't been stepping up lately who stepped up and made a difference. Ricardo [Palomino] is a noteworthy guy in that regard because he got out there and made a difference, not just with his goal. His impact was felt with how he played and how much aggressiveness he put in defending and pushing forward. He created opportunities and turnovers. He was rewarded with a goal and an assist today. I'm very happy with guys like him, Justin Todd, and Hayden [Rasmussen] who don't get in as much and did well. Paul [Samia] did well. I'm just proud of how we played."
 
On coming back strong after a loss…
"I think it's very important for our guys mentally and emotionally to make that statement. They needed to have a half where they went out there and they completely dominated proceedings. After the last two games where we kind of had a lull in our play, this is a great way to start the back-end of our season."
 
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