Tigers Claim 2019 Men's Soccer Regular Season Title

The Tiger Men's Soccer team was able to secure their title as the 2019 SLIAC Regular Season Champions by defeating the Greenville Panthers (3-2) last night at McKendree University. The Tigers are 7-0-1 in SLIAC play and still have one conference match to play, but no matter the outcome of that match, the Tigers will remain as number one for the regular season.

Just over three minutes into the match, the Panthers were able to put themselves on the board and score first. The Tigers did not allow this to faze them. Thirty seconds later, Francisco Javier Saldana (SO/Madrid, Spain) passed the ball to Carlos Lopez (SR/El Masnou, Spain), who was able to find the back of the net and tie things up.

For almost 20 minutes, the match would remain tied. In the 24th minute, Carlos Lopez would once again find his way passed the Panther goalkeeper to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead. They weren't finished yet. In the 36th minute of the match, Hugo Bonilla (SO/Guayaquil, Ecuador) was able to put the ball passed the Panther goalkeeper once again, giving the Tigers a two goal lead. 

In the last 15 minutes of the match, the Panthers were able to score again. They tried to find a way to get back the lead, but the Tiger defense was not letting up. The Tigers secured the win and their spot as number one for the regular season.

Carlos Lopez and Carlos Mateo Moreno (SO/Madrid, Spain) both had three shots each in the match, but Lopez was able to put two in the net for goals to lead the Tiger offense. Francisco Javier Saldana made the only assists for the Tigers. Trevor Haasis (SR/Williamsburg, IA) was able to record five saves in the match.

The Tigers have one more match to finish their regular season play. IW will host MacMurray College this Saturday in Mediapolis, IA. The Tigers will also be celebrating Senior Day as they kick things off against the Highlanders at 1:00 PM. The women's team will face the Highlanders directly after the conclusion of the men's match.

STORY COURTESY OF IOWA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION