From NSU Sports Info.
Cedrique Flemming, Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations
OLATHE, Kan. – The No. 14-ranked Northeastern State men’s soccer team used a pair of first-half goals to defeat Upper Iowa 2-1 in the 2014 MIAA Championship semifinals Thursday evening at College Boulevard Activities Center.
The RiverHawks (15-3-1), who are the top-seeded side, move on to the finals of the tournament and will face No. 3 seed Lindenwood at 11 a.m. Nov. 8. The Lions upset No. 2 seed Fort Hays State 2-0 in the first semifinal. The Lions have won the last two tournament championships.
Northeastern State started the scoring with a 22nd-minute goal from senior midfielder Jordan Schmoker. He received a pass from freshman forward Ricardo Palomino along the right side and shot the ball into the far left corner of the net.
Freshman forward Justin Todd added a second goal in the 41st minute. The unassisted marker was scored after an initial shot was blocked back to Todd. The game-winning shot deflected off a UIU defender and went into the near left post.
Ryan Pinkerton cut the NSU lead in half with a goal 39 seconds before half, but the Peacocks were unable to attempt a shot on frame in the final 45 minutes as NSU remained on top.
Sophomore goalkeeper Jackson Biles (14-3-1) saved one shot on goal and earned his 14th win in net. Connor Rortvedt (9-7-2) saved five shots for the Peacocks and took the loss after letting in two goals.
NSU outshot UIU 21-11 and led in corner kicks 5-1.
The 15 victories this season for NSU are the second most in school history (18 in 2004). Schmoker now has 31 points on the season (9g-13a) and is tied for third-most in a single season in MIAA history.