TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State's defense earned its second shutout in a row behind a multi-goal afternoon from Joe Garcia to best #RV Upper Iowa 3-0 on Sunday.

The RiverHawks haven't had back-to-back shutouts since early last season and it was Garcia's second career multi-goal contest; all five of his goals this year have come in the last five outings.

Ismael Serratos put NSU up 1-0 at the 20-minute mark off of a pass from Aaron Ugbah that was inside of the box.  With the goal, the Northeastern State defense held the Peacocks to only a pair of shots in the first half, and they didn't record their first attack until the 41st minute.

Seven minutes into the second half, Garcia got his mark off of Serratos and banged in a goal pass the left side of the keeper.   The RiverHawks didn't take long to widen the contest further and in the 59th minute Garcia kicked in his second goal of the half from 15 yards out to ice the contest.

Northeastern State nearly got a fourth goal in the 71st minute off of Ben Watson who hit the Upper Iowa top crossbar.

The RiverHawks had a 13-to-7 lead in shots, with the Peacocks only having a pair of shots on-goal.  Ryan Davis earned his fourth career shutout in a NSU uniform.

After starting the season with three straight losses, the RiverHawks have won five of their last six, and are 5-4 overall; in MIAA play they are 2-1.  Upper Iowa who was picking up votes in last week's United Soccer Coaches Poll have dropped three in a row, and are 4-4 overall (0-3 MIAA).

Northeastern State will head to Southern Nazarene next on Friday, Oct. 6 for a 7 p.m. start.